N35.5 bn fraud: Ibori bags 13 years in UK prison

A British court, yesterday sentenced former Delta State governor, James Ibori to 13 years in prison for his involvement in a $250 million (N35.5 billion) fraud of state funds. Unarguably, the judgement brought an end to the most celebrated corruption trial, involving a former Nigerian government official.

British State Police, Scotland Yard, stated that during his two-terms as governor, Ibori “systematically stole funds from the public purse, secreting them in bank accounts across the world,” in a fraud worth $250 million.
In February, Ibori pleaded guilty to one-count charge of conspiracy to launder money, five-count, for money laundering and one-count for obtaining a property transfered by deception.

Ibori, 49, who was governor of oil rich Delta State between 1999 and 2007, was sentenced at the Southwark Crown Court, London. The judge also mentioned Ribadu’s allegation of $15 million bribe allegedly offered by Ibori.
Pronouncing the sentence, the Judge, Anthony Pitts, said: “I recognize that there is another side to the man James Ibori but I am not the proper person to judge your achievements and failings as a governor. That is up to the people of Delta state.”