With a background of spurious delay tactics, attempted intervention by the Yar’Adua government, and a complete overhaul of James Ibori’s legal team, the Southwark crown Court in London will commence the trial of James Ibori’s female accomplices: Bimpe Pogoson (Personal Assistant on confidential matters), Theresa Nkoyo Ibori (Wife), Mrs. Udoamaka Okoronkwo (Mistress), Christie Ibie-Ibori (sister) and UK lawyer, Bhadresh Gohil, will commence in London on September 21 2009 .
The Proceeds of Crime Unit of the Metropolitan Police in London and the Crown Prosecution Service have labored to bring the women to trial in the money-laundering case that involved 70 million British Pounds Sterling in funds looted by Ibori directly and through his cronies from Delta State.
Ibori is considered a suspect–at-large in the forthcoming trial, which has led to the freezing of his accounts and the seizure of a Bombardier Challenger private jet he ordered from Canadian jet makers, Bombardier Inc., for $20 million.
Metropolitan police sources said the trial will be an interesting one that would show how the Nigerian government, under Yar’Adua, has gone a great length to shield an international money launderer. A Nigerian analyst told Saharareporters at the weekend it would also be interesting to see how the Nigerian government, at a time it is embarking on its much-criticised rebranding exercise, would react to what could be considerable international embarrassment.
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