February 9, 2009
The money laundering case against two associates of former governor of Delta State, James Ibori, his sister, wife and lawyer under the Proceeds of Crimes Act 2002 resumed yesterday at the Southwark Crown Court, London with the two associates, Adebimpe Pogoson and Udo-Amaka Okoronkwo abandoning their earlier stance that the case be dismissed. They were joined in this by James Ibori’s sister, Christine Ibie-Ibori. But Mr Bhadresh Gohil of Arlingtons Sharmas Solicitors, a London based firm of solicitors, who was arrested and charged in September 2008 under Sections 327 and 328 of the Proceeds of Crimes Act 2002 for allegedly aiding his client, James Ibori in his money laundering activities is still insisting on the dismissal of the case against him. His defence team, led by Kennedy Talbot, has begun making legal submissions to that effect. The fifth accused person, Mrs Theresa Nkoyo Ibori, Mr James Ibori’s wife is also insisting on dismissal and her counsel, Andrew Mitchell QC is expected to present her case before the court today. Messrs Mitchell and Talbot are of the London Furnival Chambers and both are regarded as heavyweights in fraud and confiscation matters in UK legal circles.
SaharaReporters learnt from sources close to one of the accused that the decision to abandon the dismissal tactic may not be unconnected with the fear of the accused persons and their advisers that a continued insistence on that approach may earn them the wrath of the court as it could be interpreted as a deliberate attempt to waste court’s time and resources, considering the overwhelming evidence in the possession of the prosecution. It is believed that they are adopting this new stance in lieu of mitigation during sentencing, if necessary.
Meanwhile, Ibori's mistress, Mrs. Udo-Amaka Okoronkwo remains in Holloway Prison in London four months after she was arrested on a European warrant in Paris. Sources say she is unable to perfect her bail application because most of Ibori's associates have refused to stand as sureties for her for fear that the Metropolitan Police might investigate them as well. However, these same sources revealed that Ibori has renewed his efforts to get her out on bail by dispatching one of his key associates, Florida-based Segun Fowora to London to spearhead that renewed effort. At the time of this report, it is unclear whether Fowora, who was also pivotal in getting Ibori’s wife, Theresa Nkoyo Ibori bailed is already in London. But Udo-Amaka's next bail hearing comes up before the weekend.
SaharaReporters can also confirm that the United Kingdom’s Home Office and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) have served Nigeria's Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mr Michael Aondoakaa letters requesting him to certify the evidence obtained from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against Ibori to be used for the trial in London. But Aondoakaa left Nigeria two weeks ago and anonymous sources close to him are saying this is to avoid acting on the requests. However, sources within United Arab Emirates’ Immigration Services have indicated that Aondoakaa left that country a few days after entry. Thereafter, He has been in India where he reportedly underwent a procedure to remove a sinus tissue that obstructs his speech.
By avoiding attend to deal with the requests from the British authorities Aondoakaa is hoping to buy time for the accused persons, knowing that the information requested may not aid their case before the London court. In the meantime, Aondoakaa and the Chairperson of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have refused to file fresh charges against Ibori as directed by the Court of Appeal in Kaduna, which gave the order to that effect on December 19 2008. As earlier reported by SaharaReporters, the Attorney General and Mrs Waziri of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have no further plans to charge Ibori before any court.
Though Mr Aondoakaa as at the time of filing this report is in Geneva, Switzerland, sources indicate that he is expected within in the United Kingdom to be with his elder wife and children who were recently enrolled in some elite British schools. Whether or not Mr Aondoakaa will be using the opportunity of his visit to accede to the requests of the British authorities or play any covert or overt role in the ongoing trial is unclear. But it would be interesting to know how the British authorities will react to his visit if it comes without the information requested.
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