UK Court Makes Move To Seize £100m From Ibori

A British Court has ordered the confiscation of the sum of £100 million linked to a former governor of Delta State, James Ibori.

The development comes about six years after Ibori returned to Nigeria after serving a prison sentence for money laundering and fraud charges.

The British authorities had indicted Ibori for stealing public funds and money laundering through UK banks and properties.

He was convicted and sentenced to 13 years imprisonment in 2012 after he pleaded guilty to a 10-count charge of money laundering

In a recent development, David Tomlinson told a judge at Southwark Crown Court on Thursday that the money should be seized as “factual findings” concerning the funds had been made.

According to Reuters, the seizure will bring to an end, a decade of legal battle and efforts by prosecutors to take the funds considered to be the benefits of Ibori’s tentacles in the UK.

Judge David Tomlinson of Southwark Crown Court at a hearing was also told how the figure should be calculated, taking into account the judge’s findings.

He is expected to finalise and formally issue his order on Friday or shortly afterwards.