May 12, 2010
James Ibori, the fugitive former governor of Delta State who was arrested in Dubai yesterday at the instance of the UK police, is reported to have been granted bail with his travel documents confiscated while the UAE authorities consider extradition requests from the UK government. But our sources say Ibori has no intention of standing trial, and may be planning to escape from Dubai at all cost.
Mr. Ibori was detained overnight by the police in Dubai on charges of money-laundering and conspiracy to commit fraud. The Press Bureau of the London Metropolitan Police told Saharareporters this afternoon that the UK has filed an extradition request with the Dubai authorities. The Nigerian government has also indicated interest in participating in the extradition processes that will lead to a full trial of Ibori either in the UK or Nigeria.
Saharareporters learnt earlier today that soon after his arrest in Dubai, Ibori's delegation, led by former Ekiti State governor, Niyi Adebayo, met with Jonathan Goodluck late into the night to discuss terms of Ibori's surrender to the EFCC. It was unclear if Jonathan already knew Ibori had been arrested while he was meeting with Ibori's team.
SaharaReporters has learnt that although EFCC operatives are billed to fly to Dubai tomorrow to meet with the Metropolitan Police in connection with Ibori’s arrest and extradition trial, Jonathan has instructed the agency to be tactful and not to be high profile in their involvement. His instruction has to do with the fact that he doesn’t want to be seen by Ibori’s benefactors as being responsible for his arrest in Dubai. There is indeed cause to believe that fate has thrust the arrest on Jonathan’s the laps to give the world cause to witness if he will handle it the same way as his predecessor.
Meanwhile, information emerging from the Southwark Crown Court today shows that the trial of the greedy governor's associates there is close to an end. The defense team, which is made up of pricey top UK lawyers, ended their submissions yesterday, and the judge began wrapping up the trial today hoping to conclude on Monday. The jury is likely to begin final deliberations in the case next week.
Mr. Ibori was detained overnight by the police in Dubai on charges of money-laundering and conspiracy to commit fraud. The Press Bureau of the London Metropolitan Police told Saharareporters this afternoon that the UK has filed an extradition request with the Dubai authorities. The Nigerian government has also indicated interest in participating in the extradition processes that will lead to a full trial of Ibori either in the UK or Nigeria.
Saharareporters learnt earlier today that soon after his arrest in Dubai, Ibori's delegation, led by former Ekiti State governor, Niyi Adebayo, met with Jonathan Goodluck late into the night to discuss terms of Ibori's surrender to the EFCC. It was unclear if Jonathan already knew Ibori had been arrested while he was meeting with Ibori's team.
SaharaReporters has learnt that although EFCC operatives are billed to fly to Dubai tomorrow to meet with the Metropolitan Police in connection with Ibori’s arrest and extradition trial, Jonathan has instructed the agency to be tactful and not to be high profile in their involvement. His instruction has to do with the fact that he doesn’t want to be seen by Ibori’s benefactors as being responsible for his arrest in Dubai. There is indeed cause to believe that fate has thrust the arrest on Jonathan’s the laps to give the world cause to witness if he will handle it the same way as his predecessor.
Meanwhile, information emerging from the Southwark Crown Court today shows that the trial of the greedy governor's associates there is close to an end. The defense team, which is made up of pricey top UK lawyers, ended their submissions yesterday, and the judge began wrapping up the trial today hoping to conclude on Monday. The jury is likely to begin final deliberations in the case next week.
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