December 30, 2008
A court in London today handed what amounts to a serious setback to the Federal Government of Nigeria in its efforts to shield accused accomplices of former Governor James Ibori in the massive looting of the treasury of Delta State.
Mr. Ibori's wife, Mrs. Theresa Nkoyo Ibori, his sister, Mrs Christine Omatie Ibori-Ibie, and his former personal assistant, Ms Adebimpe Folayinmi Pogoson, were today arraigned at the Southwark Crown Court, London on a total of 17 fraud and money laundering offences.
At today’s session, Judge Rivlin QC heard arguments in relation to the application brought by lawyers representing the accused asking for the charges to be dismissed for lack of evidence. Lawyers for Ibori’s associates relied on a letter written by Michael Aondoakaa, Nigeria’s Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, objecting to the use of evidence supplied to the British authorities by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the British trial.
The blow came when the judge ordered that all three suspects be arraigned.
Mrs. Theresa Ibori pleaded 'not guilty' to two counts of conspiring with James Ibori and his associates to commit an offence of money laundering contrary to section 1(1) of the Criminal Law Act 1977. She also pleaded 'not guilty' to two further counts of money laundering contrary to the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.
Ms Pogoson and Mrs. Ibori-Ibie also pleaded 'not guilty' to four joint charges including conspiring together and with Mr. Ibori, his mistress, Ms. Udoamaka Onuigbo (also known as Ms Okoronkwo), and others to defraud the Delta State Government and commit several money laundering offences contrary to the Criminal Justice Act 1988 and the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.
Mrs Ibori-Ibie also pleaded 'not guilty' to four counts of mortgage fraud contrary to the Theft Act 1968 and to one count of mortgage fraud under the Criminal Attempts Act 1977. All five charges relate to several properties she purchased in London between 2001 and 2006.
The judge fixed Monday, November 17, 2008 to deliver a ruling on the admissibility of evidence collected from the EFCC with regards to the case.
Even if the judge rules against admitting the evidence from the EFCC, that won’t mean a reprieve for Ibori’s associates. Counsel to the UK police already announced that they would appeal any decision that excludes evidence gathered from the EFCC.
The trial of Mrs. Ibori as well as Bimpe Pogoson and Christie Ibie-Ibori is scheduled to commence on January 5th 2009 in London.
Mr. Ibori's wife, Mrs. Theresa Nkoyo Ibori, his sister, Mrs Christine Omatie Ibori-Ibie, and his former personal assistant, Ms Adebimpe Folayinmi Pogoson, were today arraigned at the Southwark Crown Court, London on a total of 17 fraud and money laundering offences.
At today’s session, Judge Rivlin QC heard arguments in relation to the application brought by lawyers representing the accused asking for the charges to be dismissed for lack of evidence. Lawyers for Ibori’s associates relied on a letter written by Michael Aondoakaa, Nigeria’s Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, objecting to the use of evidence supplied to the British authorities by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the British trial.
The blow came when the judge ordered that all three suspects be arraigned.
Mrs. Theresa Ibori pleaded 'not guilty' to two counts of conspiring with James Ibori and his associates to commit an offence of money laundering contrary to section 1(1) of the Criminal Law Act 1977. She also pleaded 'not guilty' to two further counts of money laundering contrary to the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.
Ms Pogoson and Mrs. Ibori-Ibie also pleaded 'not guilty' to four joint charges including conspiring together and with Mr. Ibori, his mistress, Ms. Udoamaka Onuigbo (also known as Ms Okoronkwo), and others to defraud the Delta State Government and commit several money laundering offences contrary to the Criminal Justice Act 1988 and the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.
Mrs Ibori-Ibie also pleaded 'not guilty' to four counts of mortgage fraud contrary to the Theft Act 1968 and to one count of mortgage fraud under the Criminal Attempts Act 1977. All five charges relate to several properties she purchased in London between 2001 and 2006.
The judge fixed Monday, November 17, 2008 to deliver a ruling on the admissibility of evidence collected from the EFCC with regards to the case.
Even if the judge rules against admitting the evidence from the EFCC, that won’t mean a reprieve for Ibori’s associates. Counsel to the UK police already announced that they would appeal any decision that excludes evidence gathered from the EFCC.
The trial of Mrs. Ibori as well as Bimpe Pogoson and Christie Ibie-Ibori is scheduled to commence on January 5th 2009 in London.
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