UK Money Laundering Trial: James Ibori Suffers Various Reverses

Sahara Reporters

15 December 2011

UK Money Laundering Trial: James Ibori Suffers Various Reverses

Former Delta state governor, James Onanefe Ibori, suffered several significant setbacks in a London court today at a hearing on the charges of money laundering and fraud he is facing, even as he pleaded not guilty to them. 

First, despite the laborious efforts of his defence team, Ibori failed to have the case thrown out.  Next, the judge rejected his plea to dispense with the jury in the case, and also threw out the argument of the defence that a British court lacks the jurisdiction to try the accused.

Mr Ibori and another businessman, Ellias Preko, are charged with 14 counts relating to money the prosecution says was stolen from the treasury of the Delta State Government and laundered in the UK.

The man, who was a leading Governor in the Niger Delta and who bankrolled the election of Umaru Yar'Adua, inflated contracts for state services, operated fraudulent companies to launder the money in a British tax haven and bought property in London, the prosecution says.

Mr Ibori has been in custody since being extradited from Dubai in April. The wife, mistress and lawyer of the former lynchpin of the People's Democratic Party were convicted of money laundering and fraud in two previous, linked, trials.