Tuesday, 22 May 2012
UK Money Laundering Trial: James Ibori Suffers Various Reverses
James Ibori-Photo: 234next.com
By SaharaReporters, New York
Former Delta state governor, James Onanefe Ibori, suffered several significant setbacks in a London court today at a hearing on the charges of money laundering and fraud he is facing, even as he pleaded not guilty to them.
First, despite the laborious efforts of his defence team, Ibori failed to have the case thrown out. Next, the judge rejected his plea to dispense with the jury in the case, and also threw out the argument of the defence that a British court lacks the jurisdiction to try the accused.
Mr Ibori and another businessman, Ellias Preko, are charged with 14 counts relating to money the prosecution says was stolen from the treasury of the Delta State Government and laundered in the UK.
The man, who was a leading Governor in the Niger Delta and who bankrolled the election of Umaru Yar'Adua, inflated contracts for state services, operated fraudulent companies to launder the money in a British tax haven and bought property in London, the prosecution says.
Mr Ibori has been in custody since being extradited from Dubai in April. The wife, mistress and lawyer of the former lynchpin of the People's Democratic Party were convicted of money laundering and fraud in two previous, linked, trials.
But Mr Ibori's defence team argued that the case should be thrown out. And as we reported earlier today, Mr. Ibori’s associates had in advance of today’s hearing embarked on a scorched-earth propaganda campaign using several online sites to attempt to create the impression that the case against the former governor was close to collapsing. The rogue websites and blogs participating in the campaign alleged, among others, that the case against Ibori had been found to be tenuous, and that even officers of the London Metropolitan Police had accepted bribes from the disgraced former governor.
Today, however, the judge rejected all of the arguments raised by the defence. The hearing followed a week of arguments about the legal basis of the prosecution's case and the judge's rejection of those arguments represents a significant blow to his defence team.
The defence say they believe the prosecution will rely on Mr Ibori's remarkable "rags to riches" life story to indicate criminal behaviour, rather than prove specific thefts.
They hold that in order for Mr Ibori to be convicted in the UK, the prosecution should have to prove Mr Ibori committed specific crimes in Nigeria.
Defence barrister Benjamin Aina told the court, "The prosecution must prove the offence occurred in Delta State, This lifestyle approach, suggesting an 'irresistible inference' of rags to riches is not permissible for the actor himself."
I
n two previous trials, the jury drew an "irresistible inference" that Mr Ibori's co-conspirators were guilty of conspiring to launder stolen money. "Where the court is dealing with the principal, that approach cannot be enough," said Mr Aina. "A robber must be proved to have robbed."
But the prosecution points out that British law requires they can show an "irresistible inference" that his behaviour, and that of his co-conspirators, was criminal in order for a jury to decide a conviction for money laundering in the UK.
In addition, they will seek to prove that between 1999 and 2007, Mr Ibori committed a number of specific criminal acts, in Britain and in Nigeria.
Judge Anthony Pitts told the court, "Parliament, when it set down the law intended to make it easier, not harder, for money-launderers to be prosecuted. To agree to this would be to set the bar too high."
Mr Aina suggested that the case would be going ahead under "an error in legal basis" which would be the foundation of a subsequent appeal.
With reference to the trial by a jury, the argument of the defence was that coverage of this and previous trials by Nigerian Media and Saharareporters had prejudiced the possibility of a fair trial for Mr Ibori.
But Judge Pitts, unimpressed, described that argument as "too pessimistic". He noted, "There has only been one Judge-alone trial, and this is not suitable to be the second.”
The charges against Mr Ibori and his co-defendant Ellias Preko are as follows:
1. Conspiracy to defraud under common law. Between June 1999 and May 2007 Mr Ibori conspired to defraud Delta State Government with inflated price frauds in respect to a sports track at a stadium, invoices for government vehicles, and also accused of taking an amount of cash which he converted it to his own personal use. Mr Ibori is also accused of running two undeclared businesses while in office.
2. Money Laundering. Between 1999 and 2003 Mr Ibori is accused of hiding the proceeds of criminal conduct for the avoidance of prosecution.
3. Money Laundering. Between 2003 and 2007 Mr Ibori is accused of arranging and facilitating accounts for the use and control of the proceeds of criminal conduct.
4. Fraud and deception. Mr Ibori is accused of arranging a fraudulent loan in 1999 to buy a property in London using false information about himself in order to hide previous convictions for theft and fraud.
5. Money Laundering. In 2001 Mr Ibori is accused of buying a property in the expensive London suburb of Hampstead with cash that he received from criminal conduct.
6. Money Laundering. Mr Ibori is also accused of buying a flat in Harrow with the proceeds of criminal conduct, for the purpose of hiding the money.
7. Money Laundering. Mr Ibori is accused of using an account set up by a solicitor's firm as his personal bank account, into which he placed the proceeds of crime.
8. Money Laundering. August 2005 Mr Ibori is accused of buying a house in Shaftsbury, Dorset with the proceeds of criminal activity in order to hide it.
9. Money Laundering. Mr Ibori is accused of attempting to buy a Challenger Jet from Bombardier Ltd between 2005 and 2007.
10. Money Laundering. Ellias Preko is accused of running two corporations between 2000 and 2003 based in the British Tax Haven of Guernsey funded with the proceeds of crime on behalf of James Ibori.
11. Mr Ibori is accused of involvement with the same companies between 2003 and 2005.
12. Mr Ibori and Mr Preko are accused of running a further three companies based in Guernsey for the purposes of acquisition, control and retention of criminal proceeds.
13. Forgery. Mr Preko is accused of signing documents in 2004 on behalf of two companies when he was not authorised to.
14. Forgery Mr Preko is accused of signing documents on behalf of another company in 2004 without authorisation.
The trial will resume on February 13, 2012, on the eve of Valentine’s Day; Mr. Ibori’s wife, Theresa Nkoyo, is already serving five years in jail.
Some other accomplices of Mr. Ibori’s are also in prison in the country serving five-year sentences each after they were found guilty of aiding and abetting him in his money laundering schemes. They include his sister, Christine Ibie-Ibori and his mistress, Udoamaka Okonkwo (nee Onuigbo). One of his UK lawyers, Bhadresh Gohil, was handed a 10-year sentence last April 1 which will run side by side with a previous 7-year conviction.
Comments
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SAY NO TO CORRUPTION.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on February 28, 2012 - 17:46.
SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EQUAL RIGHTS IS WHAT WE NEED TO MAKE A BETTER NIGERIA, NO MATTER WHO YOU ARE, NO BODY IS BIGGER THAN THE LAW. CORRUPTED LEADERS LIKE IBORI AND OTHERS SHOULD FACE THE PENALTY OF CRIMES THAT THE STATE IS GOVERNED JUST LIKE EVERY OTHER COMMON CRIMINALS....WHAT A SHAME ON OUR LEADERS?
RE:
Submitted by Baba B (not verified) on February 27, 2012 - 15:55.
Emmannuel Igbini I now come to the conclusion that you are a very big fool.
RE: Ibori Patrick Ugbogu, how much are(sic) you paid against
Submitted by BaBAb (not verified) on February 27, 2012 - 15:44.
I would rather ask you Patrick, how much were you paid for ibori
nt guity
Submitted by moses olusola (not verified) on January 19, 2012 - 08:57.
i am from delta state abraka to be precise,comparing d state of delta state before ibori came to power,will shall then realised that ibori tried just that our people are too forgetful and never appreciate good people,fine ,nobody could be as clean like jesus christ without blemish,it doesnt mean we should skin d guy alive.we have people that are bad in this country and nobody kills them,therefore,ibori case is being footed by enemy of his progress.he is made before he came into politics.during his time,he help alot of peoples bt today he is being denied bt remember tough time never last .we delta state youths can wait to see u we missed u our leader
patrick agbobu, HOW MUCH are u paid against Ibori?
Submitted by Deacon Lucas Onorigho (not verified) on December 27, 2011 - 09:34.
patrick and all the anonymous who are calling for Chief James Ibori's head, what are ur price tags that u keep deceiving the world by even distorting Ibori's birthdom as oghari instead of Oghara? One must not always marry from his or her kinsmen.
BESTIALITY of comments against james ibori
Submitted by Deacon Lucas Onorigho (not verified) on December 26, 2011 - 22:00.
Most bestial comments of people and press against Chief James Ibori is a culmination of biblical age-long ''free Barabas, kill JESUS'' un-informed mantra of mankind. Come to the truth, is IBORI actually a society or political leper as painted?
Emmauel UDAGHAN is d next
Submitted by Fred (not verified) on December 18, 2011 - 08:38.
I was born, live in d delta state area.I weekness most of d event dat happen.Ibori did its own.Now d person ibori put 2 be govenor in d state is doing more bad in d state.look what is going now in d state.Emmauel udagran send some police men to kill ogle becos e did not support him dis past eletion.All d leadership position of dis country are bad.Look at mr president.E dont have vision,e dont know e is doing.E is d one starting dis corruption and stating d rule of law
There are many more money laundering Nigerian ex-governors
Submitted by Garkami (not verified) on December 18, 2011 - 03:46.
Ibori is only unlucky. There are many more ex-governors in Nigeria using other peoples names to launder money in UK and other places. An ex-governor in Northern Nigeria sends former close aids to the UK and the Middle East to launder stolen public money for himself every now and then. It is surprising the British intelligenge cannot find these heinous crimes out.
Nigerian Big Boys
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on December 17, 2011 - 21:43.
I was once accosted by a white bell boy in a Hotel elevator in the USA, the young man asked if I was a Nigerian (Thanks to my south-south native dress), I said "Yes" with pride. He said "I love Nigerians!". Surprised, I enquired why, he informed me of the "Fat tips" my fellow country men have dolled out to him in the past. In his own words - "This guy called "Lucky" gives a $100 tip for ushering him to the elevator". He specifically remembered Ibori... How are the mighty fallen? Oh Ibori - please help us give fat tips to the guards, bailifs, nurses, etc, perharps by the time all the money is done you may have redeemed our image.
@IGBINI, What exactly are you looking for?
Submitted by FiReClOuD OfGoD (not verified) on December 17, 2011 - 20:32.
@IGBINI ODAFE EMMANUEL (Engr)
-First and only Nigerian to voluntarily submit to EFCC & ICPC for probe.
-Governorship Candidate, Peoples Redemption Party, (PRP) Delta State.
Did I hear you say:"THE BENEFICIARIES OF IBORI'S SACRIFICES AND EFFORTS IN THE EMERGENCE OF ALHAJI UMAR MUSA YAR ADUA, AS PRESIDENT..."
Why did you not advise him to subject himself to the same rules you follow?
Are you aware of epic EFCC wars with him and his supporters?
If he was a supporter of Yaradua who's jingle jangle song is 'rule of law', where was this ethic, when he bribed Ribadu with $15 million to escape prosecution for all his crimes?
What are you looking for FROM HIM?
JUSTICE MUST PREVAIL
Submitted by PRISCILLA TADIEVU (not verified) on December 17, 2011 - 08:15.
NO one is been sentimental .Thank God you agree that Ibori is a thief big or small a thief is a thief. IF Ibori is a cow without tail , how would you describe the poor helpless children in the land of milk and honey but has no access to good food, clean water, shelter, education and social amenities ? GOD ALMIGHTY is a God of JUSTICE . NO matter how long it takes every evil doer will be brought to book by and large. Ibori committed the crimes? then let him face the penalty. it is only an insane person and a thief that would say DELTA state can never have a governor better than Ibori . God will raise upright men to govern the state and Nigeria at large. justice must take its course. THERE WILL NOT BE EXONERATION FOR A DIE HARD CRIMINAL. one after another they will all reap what they sow. Uduaghan be warned and be wise. LONG LIVE DELTA, LONG LIVE NIGERIA
Please visit www.bribenigeria.com -- tell us your bribe story!!!
Submitted by bribenigeria.com (not verified) on December 16, 2011 - 19:13.
Please visit www.bribenigeria.com and tell us your bribe story. www.bribenigeria.com -- Fighting Corruption in Nigeria!!!
Corruption is an endemic disease that has eaten up every facet of the Nigerian society. Together we can defeat the worst enemy that have crippled our nation, reduced our citizens to poverty and deprived our nation of any sustainable development.
Ibori & the British Law
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on December 16, 2011 - 17:36.
Guys, let not be too sentimental of the Ibori's case. I'm aware that Ibori stole the public fund when he was the governor of Delta State. But Ibori's trouble really is a case of political vendetta. Whom amongst the political class during the third republic of Nigeria could exonerate him or herself from stealing massively from the public pulse? Ibori was a smaller thief compared to Obj, Atiku, Ibb, Annenih, Odili, and numerous third republic leaders. Please let the sleeping dog lie. Ibori is a cow without tail, it is only God that will exonerate him. We cannot have a governor like Ibori in Delta State again in our life time.
My advice to Ibori and his defence
Submitted by texbee (not verified) on December 16, 2011 - 16:26.
If Ibori has the money let him go and higher Lucifer from hell as his defence team leader but one thing is sure, he will go back to jail where his family members are already waiting for him. He has to pay for destroying EFCC and that is what he is paying for now.
The only redemption he has is for him ,after the much awaited sentence to either genuinely or by pretence turn a new leaf, repent, start a campaign in prison against corruption in nigeria and africa as a whole. Donate to any organization that campaign against corruption and to efcc to deceive the british government. Then the british government will grant him early release.Anything otherwise the ogidigborigbo will rot in prinson.
Obaseki, so u agree your man
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on December 16, 2011 - 14:41.
Obaseki, so u agree your man stole the money. Why didn't Ibori shine his eyes when he was stealing the people's money and buying luxury home in the UK? You think you're talking to kids. Don't bring racist sentiment into this issue.
Shine your eye!
Submitted by Kwesi Obaseki (not verified) on December 16, 2011 - 12:56.
Once again, we miss the point. The UK government has sought the extradition of our citizen on grounds of corruptly enriching himself by ostensibly stealing money belonging to the good people of Delta State.
If this assertion is the truth, why has the British government not returned the supposedly 'stolen' funds to the 'true' owners in Delta State.
If he had flouted the money laundering laws of the UK, why were the bankers who gladly received his funds, and the vendors of the air plane who received payment in full, not held culpable?
OUR FUNDS have been forfeited and seized by the UK and we cheer the UK for this act.
Our government is supine and has not resisted this.
Do not let any personal animosity towards Mr. Ibori avert our minds from this patent injustice which is to paraphrase a friend of mine "the clearest example yet of the modern face of the establishment and racism". Would this have happened if this was a western European politician?
My country people shine you eye!
The gost of CSP Muhammed Danjuma will continue to trail Ibori.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on December 16, 2011 - 12:00.
This is just the beginning, he will die and rotten in the prison because the innocent soul of Danjuma Muhammed of blessed memories will continue to pursuit this evil man called James Ibori.
He never see freedom again, god willing.
The British Govt to the Resuce,
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on December 16, 2011 - 11:39.
We find it amazing how the British govt is fightin
g corrupted people/ govs in Nigeria for us why govt pretend all is well. No country develop in this way as we have set forth to do. Every budget ed kobo goes into pocket of the govs and the people suffer.Xmas is here no money to celebrate. Road not passable. Get Light. Dirt is seriously theartening, occupying our rooms with us.
Ibori the ITT
Submitted by Madrid (not verified) on December 16, 2011 - 11:20.
Amen and Amen...May Ibori rot and die in prision and end up like Yaradua and Abacha,in Jesus name Amen and Amen
IBORI WAS MISLED.
Submitted by eddy omo (not verified) on December 16, 2011 - 10:35.
This Man James Ibori is a good man, but he was misled by the sycophants around him. he actually thought they liked and loved him. little did he know that he was being used by these people and later going to be dumped. if they had told him at that time, he probably wouldnt have believed. now look at him and all the people clustering around him then, Uduaghan inclusive.
BEFORE NOW
Submitted by solenzo2cam on December 16, 2011 - 09:20.
I THOUGHT THERE COULD SAINT AS LEADER IN THIS COUNTRY,BUT AS SOON AS THEY LEAVE OFFICE MOST OF THEM ARE BEING CHASE BY THE LAW
Welcome to UK, Nigerian politicians worst nightmare.
Submitted by Matthew (not verified) on December 16, 2011 - 08:38.
Ibori is one in the long list of Nigerian politicians responsible for bleeding our dear country dry. It is still very fresh in mind hw d self acclaimed governor general of the Niger delta escaped from detention in d UK. Today he is still a power proker in the region. What abt all the talk about a cartel corruptly enriching themselves with the d cost of subsidizing fuel & no one is prosecuting anyone. As some leaders have recently asserted, we sincerely need to purge ourselves of corruption if we must grow as a nation. Maybe we should adopt the chinese method (capital punishment for corrupt officials). God bless Nigeria.
IBORI A SCAR IN OUR CONSCIENCES
Submitted by Comrade IGBINI ODAFE EMMANUEL (ENGR) (not verified) on December 16, 2011 - 07:08.
My beloved Urhobo Brother (ex-gov. Chief James Ibori) shall forever remain a SCAR IN THE CONSCIENCES OF SHAMELESS BRITISH GOVT AND THE BENEFICIARIES OF IBORI'S SACRIFICES AND EFFORTS IN THE EMERGENCE OF ALHAJI UMAR MUSA YAR ADUA, AS PRESIDENT OF NIGERIA.
My Dear Brother, Chief Ibori, stay calm, as no weapon formed against you shall prosper. Amen.
Comrade IGBINI ODAFE EMMANUEL (Engr)
-First and only Nigerian to voluntarily submit to EFCC & ICPC for probe.
-Governorship Candidate, Peoples Redemption Party, (PRP) Delta State.
eigbini@yahoo.com
This is not looking good for Ibori.
Submitted by FiReCloUd OfGoD (not verified) on December 16, 2011 - 01:24.
This is not looking good for Ibori.
With Britain officially threatening African countries including Nigeria, Ghana and Malawi with sanction such as AID witholding, if we do not liberate our men and women to publicly frolic with one ANOTHER,
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-15511081
http://www.citizen.co.za/citizen/content/en/citizen/local-news?oid=24196...
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2011/10/16/andrew-mitchell-uk-will-withhold-ai...
Imagine if the leaders are so liberal, what will their prisons condone. What with those hefty and HARDY CRIMINALS looking for fresh yansh to pound, Na Wahala o.
Goodluck, I beg, help this south south man comot before them damage am too much O!
THW REAL IBORI
Submitted by Patrick Agbobu (not verified) on December 16, 2011 - 00:52.
He could not marry from Oghari as no parents of free Oghari woman will allow Ibori to marry their daughter. Ibori is not a true son of Oghari. Those who have ears let them hear and those who have eyes let the see. Ibori can never be addmitted into core and traditional Oghari family. It will be rgarded as a very great taaboo and abomination a sacriledge.
Thank God that he got married
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on December 16, 2011 - 00:30.
Thank God that he got married to an Igbo woman--next time he will think twice before venturing into that area for a woman.
IBORI
Submitted by Patrick Agbobu (not verified) on December 16, 2011 - 00:30.
Ibori you will be sent to prison in London when you are in your fifties, but you will leave the prison as avery old and dejected person. In any event prison is not new to you as you are an habitual prisoner, the only difference this time is that you have been soften will all the money, you looted and stole from the people of Delta state and Niger delta. Ibori all those illegal bunkerring, assasinations, murders, kidnapping, Ibori is it all worth them. Ibori just look at you masterminding the death of the very great man Chief Alphred Rewane. A man who took you as a son. Ibori you have not seen anything yet. Your sorrows and punishment will come in tens of tons. Ibori you will not see the day light again as a free person
DERI (AKA JAKOVIC):A THIEF IS A THIEF NO MATTER HIS ORIGIN
Submitted by osita DIOKA (not verified) on December 16, 2011 - 00:06.
Irrespective of state of origin,a mega thief like Ibori is still a thief.His cup is full so his luck ran out,same applies to other mentioned by you,thier time will come and Ibori might even find himself luckier than those ones walking free at the moment.Nigerians are suffering and praying so God does not sleep he will hear our prayers one day.We dont know if it will be a Rawlings or Arab spring style but the time of reckoning is around the corner,The common man will have his day,remember how happy we were when Abacha died like a bush rat in the arms of prostitutes.Sometimes these things play out unpredictably.
AN NUNA WA KURCHIYA BAKA
Submitted by IBRAHIM SAAD (not verified) on December 15, 2011 - 23:38.
THEY ARE JAILING HIS WIFE, SISTER, GIRLFRIEND AND LAWYER! THAT IS GREAT, BUT JUST ONE PROBLEM. THOSE WATCHING WHO HAVE COMMITTED THE SAME CRIMES WILL NEVER LAND IN THE U.K. ANYTIME SOON. THOSE THINKING OF FOLLOWING IBORI'S EXAMPLE WILL CHANGE STRATEGY. WHICH IS WHY I USED THE HAUSA PROVERB:
AN NUNA WA KURCHIYA BAKA
WHICH TRANSLATES
THE DOVE HAS SEEN THE HUNTERS BOW
THE DOVE WILL DEFINATELY NOT WAIT FOR THE ARROW!
PAY BACK TIME!!
Submitted by Vitalis N Ndawii,Rome-Italy (not verified) on December 15, 2011 - 23:32.
The long arms of the British law at work! Finally,this is James Ibori's pay back time.
Had he thought and done otherwise while he reigned supreme as lord in delta state the story would have been different today. Had he taken steps towards addressing the needs and plights of the deprived hungry and angry people of delta state when it was his turn to do just that,his predicament today would not have arisen. Those who think that the easiest way of becoming super rich is through this unpopular route of looting the people's common wealth should better have a rethink. The fall of the dry leaf is meant to serve as warning to the green ones,it is never late to change!
-Vitalis N Ndawii,Rome-Italy
