Tuesday, 22 May 2012
V-Mobile Shares: London Court To Begin Trial Of James Ibori, Victor Attah, David Edevbie, Bhadresh Gohil, Henry Imashekka And Three Others In November 2010
On Monday a court in the United Kingdom has rejected a motion brought before it by Mr. Bhadresh Gohil , a lawyer to the disgraced former governor of Delta State, James Ibori, to dismiss the money laundering and forgery case against him and three others.
Southwark Crown Court judge, Christopher Hardy instead decided that Mr. Gohil, who is referred to as the "predicate offender alongside Ibori (who is currently awaiting extradition from Dubai)" are to undergo trial alongside Lambertus De Boer, Daniel McCann and others. They include former Akwa Ibom state Governor, Victor Obong Attah; the former Principal Secretary to Umaru Yar'Adua, David Edevbie; and a business associate of Ibori, Henry Imashekka.
The accused face 14 counts of forgery and money laundering in relation to the sale of V-Mobile telecoms shares by two Nigerian States: Akwa Ibom State and Delta, in which USD $37.8 million was stolen.
The accused men used front companies to defraud the Nigerian states of the said amount. In particular, a company, "Africa Development Finance Co." was named as the major conduit.
In instances cited in the case summary, an $11 million loan was purportedly granted to an aviation company that assisted Mr. Ibori in purchasing a jet from Canada; $10 million was given to "Ascot Offshore Nigeria Limited", the company that Ibori used to purchase Wilbros; and another $790,000 was granted to another fake firm "Africa Development Co." and an offshore nominee concern.
The charges of forgery concern Mr. DeBoer and Mccan. They were accused of violating the Forgery and Counterfeiting Act of the UK by creating fake documents between Delta State and Africa Finance Ltd, and also Delta and African Development Company. They are also accused of creating a false account which shows both men as beneficiaries, in order to hide the fraudulent nature of the transactions. The trial would be the second Ibori-related one for Mr. Gohil this year. He had thought this particular case would be dismissed so that he could face the trial involving Theresa Nkoyo , Ibori's wife, a case he has tried unsuccessfully to wriggle out of), which has been adjourned till September but for which Mr. Gohil had earlier asked for a separate trial.
But even that trial has become complicated, as Ibori's wife has signaled to Crown Prosecutors that she will cooperate with them to show that Mr. Gohil was behind the money laundering activities involving her, and that she was just a pawn in the money laundering schemes of Ibori (her estranged husband) and Gohil. It is being suggested that Theresa Ibori will launch a cut-throat attack on Mr. Gohil during the trial.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has an advantage because the current Attorney General of Nigeria, Mr. Bello Adokie (SAN), has approved the use of evidence gathered by the EFCC for the Theresa Ibori trial as well as the V-Mobile trial. Those pieces of evidence were withheld by the compromised former AGF, Michael Aondoakaa, who used his extensive authority to frustrate the trial of Ibori and his associates for money laundering both in Nigeria and the UK. Mr. Aondoakaa, who was recently barred from entering the United States, appears to face the prospects of arrest and prosecution in the UK as well, over money laundering allegations.
Mr. Gohil's lawyer, Ian Winters QC, recently obtained a variation in his bail conditions from the court, enabling him to travel on a family holiday with his children and partner, but that reprieve also came at a time the UK police traced another offshore account Mr. Gohil had claimed belonged to the law firm, Arlington Sharmas, to him. Mr. Gohil has submitted two psychiatrist’s reports to show that he is under immense mental stress, but the court doesn't seem to agree with those reports.
James Ibori is currently cooling his heels in a Dubai prison, awaiting an extradition hearing and a subsequent decision to send him to London for trial. Two of his associates: his blood sister and mistress, Christine Ibie-Ibori and Udoamaka Onuigbo, are currently in Holloway prison after they were found guilty of money laundering recently by the Southwark Crown Court.
A source in Delta State told Saharareporters that the Governor Of Delta State, Emmanuel Uduaghan, has raised $10 million through a politician-cum-business front , Victor Ochei, to ensure that the UAE judge handling Ibori's extradition is compromised in order to let the former governor off the hook.
Time up for ibori, my prayer
Time up for ibori, my prayer is that the same lot would befall is friends and cronies in power still miklking the country dry.
Ibori
We weep, We cry, We lament and vent out our frustrations. Still yet we are were we are, the same set of rulers plondering the nations resources. The system is still the same, the amount Ibori, Ibb and co has looted with be a childs play when next revelations of goverment officals step down. The only thing that can stop all this is BLOOD SHED. Until that day evryone who has the opportunity should go for it
If you born pikin, no call am
If you born pikin, no call am Ibori because when wahala wan come na in quantum. When you think of fraud think of Ibori.
Onye oma maybe u havent been
Onye oma maybe u havent been reading papers much the british dont know d difference between Ibori and Daniel of Kalu once u launder money on thier soil it does not matter that u are d son of Oba of Benin. Atiku's wife has a case to answer somewhere in US.
V-mobile shares
you need to settle down and focus on the present and avoid these untested conspiracy theories about the Brits and American. If not for these folks, some of our bad guys will rape us blind and go scott free.
Jonathan Goodwill is a Coward
I am actually weeping as i am wtriting here.How on earth could johnathan allow the looters of our economy to walk free the streets of Abuja and other state capitals investing billions of Nigerian money in the west.
The likes of Emmanuel Uduaghan of Govt House asaba should be probed and hauled to jail for abetting and aiding James Ole Ibori raising as much as $10 million to bribe the judge handling iboris repatriation to Uk for theft and money laundering"NIGERIA I WEEP FOR YOU" I am a strong advocate of Ben Nwabuezes believes that the only way forward in nigeria is a total arms revolution.I am a strong supporter of "Rawlings Initiative" in nigeria
Johnathan i advice you to forget the state house abuja because and your plans to continue as president and hand over power to a serious minded person if corruption is thriving under your feet and you cannot do anything.Is it when you secure a four year term that you will address the corruption issue plaguing the nation.I will aedvice you to pack your bags out of state house abuja and go back to the classroom whre you are nurtured as a teacher.Dont say i told you.
Daniel Writes from Madrid Spain.
AS A MEMBER OF THE SAVE NIGERIA GROUP, I REGRET EVER COMING OUT TO DEMONSTRATE ON THE STREETS OF ABUJA FOR THE INSTALLMENT OF GOODLUCK.I AM PRESENTLY IN MALAYSIA AND WHEN I SAW THE LIST OF THOSE HE GAVE AWARD TO AND HOW HE IS HANDLING THE ISSUE OF CORRUPTION I JUST REMEMBER TUNDE BAKARE'S WARNING THAT GOODLUCK SHOULD NEVER BE TRUSTED.TO ME I'VE GIVEN UP ON NIGERIA AND I SIMPLY BELIEVE THAT MY DEAR COUNTRY IS UNDER A CURSE FROM THE SO MANY INNOCENT BLOOD THAT WE HAVE SHARED.
okay guys..yes the iboris and the IBB are ciminals no doubt, but how come the system allowed these guys to transfer these buck of raw nigerian cash without stoping them...i am tempted to say they used to work for the CIA and the british goverment..but now that they are nolonger usefull...they..being the system are afraid they might have another hugo chevez in their hands..they are all criminals...the Americans and the British government who until today still plot to use the like of shell to plunder our Nigeria cash..if not i see no reason why they that can clean up their own acts have now become modern day kindnapers..if they the british is serious about crime then let them own up and openly apologize for the slave trade and the modern day slavery.
who is fooling who?
sahara..if you like publish what i have to say...publish it.
it is no bodys fault ibori has his case to take care of besides why was he not reasonable to have tought of the consequnces of what he was going into while as the law says plenty days for the thief but one day for the owner!!!!!HE SHOULD BE TREATED ACCORDING TO THE LAW......!!!!!
EMMANUEL UDUAGHAN is a worse criminal than JAMES IBORI.He started looting the state as commissioner for Health, the SSG and then Governor. Uduaghans name should be included in the list of those being tried. This short coward is a looter. If his name is not included in this trial, We will initiate a fresh petition against him. Sahara will receive a copy soon.
These friendly nations should help the masses of Nigeria who have been abusively impoverished by these rogues and others like them. Ban them from entering your country.
THE TWO MAJOR PROJECTS EMBARKED ON BETWEEN 1999 AND TODAY IN DELTA STATE ARE THE UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL(WHICH WAS PLANNED TO BE HANDED OVER TO IBORI'S WESTERN DELTA UNIVERSITY WHEN THE ABRAKA PEOPLE'S PROTEST COMES THROUGH - UDUAGHAN IS WORKING FOR THE PROTEST TO COME THROUGH, SO THAT THEY COULD USE STATE FUNDS TO ACQUIRE THE HOSPITAL) AND THE ASABA AIRPORT. BOTH IN REAL VALUE ARE NOT WORTH MORE THAN N25 BILLION.
WHERE THEN HAS THE OVER N1.8 TRILLION RECEIVED BY THE STATE GONE INTO IN 13 YEARS?
THAT ACCOUNTS FOR WHY THEY HAD UMYA, EFCC, AGF, CJ,IG, BANKOLE & GOVERNOR'S FORUM IN THEIR POCKET, BUT NOT THE UK & US.
NA JAIL DEM GO DIE PUT!
BRITISH GOVERMENT SHOULD GO TO HELL THEY ARE PROBING IBOR , ATTA , AN D MANY PROMINET MEN FROM NIGER DELTA , WHY ARE THEY NOT PROBING THOSE EVILL NOTHERN LEADERS WHO HAVE BEING STEALING THE MONEY FROM NIGER DELTA , I DON'I BELIVE IN THIS BULLSHIT . WHAT ABOUT ATIKU ABUBARKAR WHAT WBOUT IBB AND OTHER NOTHERNERS , THE PROBLEM WITH IBORI IS THAT HE IS AIDING MILITAND GROUP TO DESTROY BRITISH INVESTIMNET IN NIGERIA ,,,,,, FUCK BRITISH
will say it again youths, Nigerians should rise up and ask the UK, US, South African, UAE Government to put a ban on all these criminal leaders from entering their country. All of them should be stopped from entering the country from Peter Odilli, Lucky Igbeinedion, Ibori, IBB, former head of states, former ministers, governors, local chairmen, representatives, whatever leaders we have in Nigeria should be banned from entering their countries, let them face the soup. They should trace all their families and have them brought back to attend univeristiy in Nigeria. Seek medical attention in Nigeria etc. Nigerians WAKE UP!WAKE UP! This will be the only way to stop them from spending our money foolishly.
Ohh..Ibori just missed another National award
his collegues collected yesterday.well letz wait till
he is done with his international youth service
program in Dubai and the UK.nothing goes for nothing..!
Thank God for all the recent revelations showcasing the crookery state of Nigerian leaders,past and present.I wept in remembrance of Murtala mohammed ,Idiagbon and Dele Giwa ,their sincerity and true statemanship disposition cut short by our enemies.Let's not deceive ourselves,what is corrupt cannot be reverse.Nigerian youths should rise to demand for their future from their past corrupt leaders and their cronies by all means.Let's call for a National Conference for Corruption Refunds,NCCR where looters will give back what they stole and be forgiven.And, those that will fail to refund should be hang!
The entire Ibori clan of Emmanuel Uduaghan, Victor Ochei, Henry Imasekha, Joe Obue, David Edevbie, Ighoyota Amori, Ovie Omo Agege, Okumagba, Sobotie, Solomon Ogba, Ifeanyi Okowa,Macaulay, Uche Okpunor etc must go to jail for corruption to end in Delta State. That State stinks with corruption. These men must go to jail.
Haliburton, Siemens, Energy probe, $12.2B Gulf war windfall, etc. Why is Mr. President keeping quiet???
If it's foreign countries that can help us fight corruption, so be it!!!
why must we wait for the US, UK and Interpol to act on our behalf all the time. that means we don't have people of integrity and truth that can uphold justice in our land. what a shame.
what i don't understand is that, is Britain helping Nigeria to run their judiciary system or is it that we don't know what we are doing in this country.
more and more troubles for ibori.now,there is no idoncare(Aondoakaa}or yar adua to protect him.how time changes,as for ibori,it is coming in torrents.yar adua should be ashamed of himself even in the grave for shielding ibori from prosecution with the connivance of anaconda or idoncare{which ever you like}.how this idiots mouth every-time how they love nigeria while at the back of there mind,they loat everything decent about this God heavenly and heavily endowed country.i cannot be happier.we must take back our beloved country from these vampires.i am sure that one day,obasanjo,ibb,orji kalu,odili,bankole,and the rest will be called to account for there stupendous wealth.until that day.may God bless all the progressives.
But if the British are left alone to deal with this, and if Nigeria totally removes itself from it, the man will have no leg to stand on as per his asylum claim which is based on his Nigerian experience. The British would then freely exercise their rights under the extradition treaty they have with UAE (we don’t have any with them) and demand that a citizen of the United Kingdom (James Ibori) be extradited to face charges in the United Kingdom. Now, what this case will do is to make the decision easier for the UAE authorities by hopefully presenting damaging evidence in open court that will convince them that it makes no sense not to extradite the guy. Akika!
This is necessary because the only thing making the extradition a stalemate in the UAE is because Ibori has a case under the 1951 Refugee Convention against Nigeria due to the senseless way the EFCC went after him. In that situation, it isn’t about whether Ibori is guilty or not or whether he is likely to be found guilty or not, but whether he can find a refuge in any of the headings for asylum. And yes, he can under Article 1 of the Convention (as amended by the 1967 Protocol) which defines him as a refugee based on what happened in Nigeria before his flight to Dubai. Unfortunate, but true!
(cont)
The tactical and political relevance of this trial cannot be over-emphasised. The key thing really is no matter how many people are convicted, until Ibori is brought to face charges in the UK, it will remain a pyrrhic victory. The EFCC and the Nigerian government should simply step back fully from the fiasco they’ve created in Dubai, give every cooperation to the British authorities, including handing over every evidence at their disposal, even if it is going to implicate others within the political hierarchy still not known yet. They must make a statement to the effect that they do not want James Ibori for trial in Nigeria; so, the asylum angle can die a natural death!
(cont)
What is the matter with Nigeria and our Justice system? 50 years after independence, why are we still relying on our former Colonial masters to clean us up, like babes? It is a shame and a sad reflection of the times. Yet, GEJ is carrying on business as usual, when surely, there is work to do. When there are solid foundations to lay for our National security & policing, social security, improved roads, electricity supply, Judiciary and justice system, good roads, health care, water, fight against corruption, etc. GEJ, this is no time to prevaricate, but time for action. At 50 years, we are mature. We should not rely on UK to jail our criminals for us!
Bola Tinubu is one of the most corrupt Nigerians alive.He's bleeding Lagos dry,yet he goes about pretending to be a democrat and has this holier than thou attitude.Nemesis will soon catch up with him
[quote]But even that trial has become complicated, as Ibori's wife has signaled to Crown Prosecutors that she will cooperate with them to show that Mr. Gohil was behind the money laundering activities involving her, and that she was just a pawn in the money laundering schemes of Ibori [/quote]
Ibori, the GMC, The noose is getting tighter. 'No condition is permanent' can be looked at in 2 ways: As Governor and PDP trustee (Pre Brixton jail era)or Post Brixton jail era.
My question is, Why has there has been a lull in Ibori's extradition process? Is it taking long becuse they are waiting for a case like this to come up or the Nigerian big wigs are 'letting sleeping dogs lie' so as to not rock the election boat?
Good news, i am beginning to see some light in a distance inside this tunel, maybe we getting somewhere, anyway i pray justice be don to serve as example for others.AS more Nigerians get enlighten daily, something new is coming up !!! and i pray and hope we get there,even as there is no society without crime but who ever is found wanting should be wielded the big stick without fear or fabvour and we should stop bothering other countries for God sake , we must gather anough will whether political or otherwise to deal with this virus eating us deep.EFCC/ICPC where are you?????????????.
SR, under what guise would Mr. Victor Ochei take out that US$10 million from Nigerian banks?
Seeing as we cannot keep our house in order a little help from the UK and Western Courts in dealing with these thieves is much welcomed. If the present administration; the legislative and executive are sincere then they should enact severely punitive laws to stop top officials dipping into public fund, for instance those states abiding by sharia law should agree to amputation of limbs of offending (thieving) governors, senotors, reps and other top officials.

