May 21, 2008
Photo: Holloway Prison in London
Theresa Nkoyo Ibori remained in prison for a second day at the all-female Holloway Prison in London, as she was unable to meet conditions specified in her bail.
A Westminster Magistrate court judge had set her bail at 250,000 pounds. She had up till 5:00 PM today (London time) to meet the conditions or remain in jail. As at close of business, she was unable to meet her bail conditions and thus remained in lock down.
On Monday May 19 2008, she was detained by the Metropolitan Police in London and charged with money laundering offences. She appeared in at the City of Westminster Magistrate Court on Tuesday May 20 2008 and was remanded in custody after a judge set stringent bail conditions.
Her husband, former Governor James Ibori, is at the center of extensive money laundering charges involving 35 million pounds stolen from Delta State between 1999 and 2007 when he governed the oil-rich Delta State. He had earlier issued a statement denying that the Metropolitan Police arrested his wife.
Several sources at the London Metropolitan Police told Saharareporters that the investigation of Ibori’s money laundering activities had taken a new twist as British investigators were now “pursuing some fresh leads into his assets.” The sources declined to elaborate.
Several other suspects are involved in Ibori's criminal web of money laundering activities. They include Adebimpe Folayinmi Pogoson, aged 39, of Barons Court, Church Lane, The Hyde, NW9, and Ibori's blood sister, Christine Omatie Ibori-Ibie, aged 49, of Woodhill Crescent, Kenton, Harrow, Middlesex. Both suspects were charged on several counts on January 8, 2008 at City of Westminster Magistrate Court.
They were both remanded on conditional bail to Southwark Crown Court where further hearing is scheduled for July 4 2008.
Theresa Ibori was first arrested on November 1 2007 by officers from the Proceeds of Corruption Unit of the Metropolitan Police in London. They accosted her at Heathrow Airport as she waited to board a flight to Lagos.
Also a man believed to be one of Ibori's lawyers was arrested on November 1 2007 in connection with extensive money laundering activities.
Former Governor Ibori is currently standing trial at the Federal High Court in Kaduna. His mistress and co-accused, Mrs. Udoamaka Okoronkwo (nee Onuigbo), has temporarily relocated to Nigeria, but Metropolitan Police sources told Saharareporters that she would be further interrogated and possibly charged alongside Bimpe Pogoson and Christine Ibe-Ibori as soon as she returns to the UK.
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