Ex-Gov Ibori to complete jail term in the UK.

Contrary to the earlier speculations, the former Delta state government James Ibori will be spending all of his jail term in the UK. it was being deliberated that some Nigerian prisoners in the UK was to be exchanged with some from Nigeria, and that the former governor will be among the beneficiaries who will be sent to Nigeria to finish up his jail term, but we all know that as soon as he steps on the Nigerian soil, he is a free man.

James Ibori was arrested and jailed for money laundering, and was jailed for 13 years. he was expected to spend about 4 and half years of that behind bars. 

According to a source in the UK High Commission: 

“We are not planning to allow Ibori be a beneficiary of the exchange policy, it is not targeted at him. Our laws are very strong on money laundering; the exchange programme does not cover such people like Ibori. So, he will complete his prison terms in the UK as part of our own contribution to your anti-corruption agenda.If he is brought to Nigeria, we are not sure if he would not be pardoned as a result of pressure from some people”

Responding to a question, the source added: “The Nigerian government has not made any request for the repatriation of Ibori home to complete his jail terms.”

A reliable source in government said: “There is no plan to bring Ibori home under any guise and we will not do so. We will be sending a wrong signal if we do so.

“This is an example of consequence of graft in public office; we want others to learn from Ibori’s experience. His conviction has strengthened our anti-corruption campaign.”

When contacted, the Press and Public Affairs Officer, Robert Fitzpatrick, only said: “The terms of agreement between the UK and Nigeria are not about one person, it is a long time agreement.”

The UK Minister of Justice, Mr. Jeremy Wright, and the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN), signed the prisoners’ exchange agreement.

Wright, who also met with the Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prof. Viola Onwuliri, and the Minister of Interior, Abba Moro, said about £1m [about N280m} would be made available by the British government for a “comprehensive reform of Nigerian Prisons.”culled

After a five-year legal ordeal, Ibori was jailed for 13 years in April 2012 by Justice Nicholas Pitts. the official figure alleged to have been laundered by Ibori was £50million, but it could be up to £250milllion.

Pitts found him guilty of money laundering and conspiracy to make instruments contrary to section 1 (1) (a) of the criminal act of 1977.