Former Delta-State governor James Ibori has arrives back to Nigeria, according to report by Vanguard. James Ibori was released in December last year, after serving half of his 13 years jail term slammed on him by a British Court.
Ibori has been away in the United Kingdom, where he’s serving his jail term for corruption and money laundering charges. Though, after his release in December last year, Ibori has promised that he will continue his political career in his home town Delta-State and Nigeria at large.
Ibori in an interview had said:
“What happens in African politics… you are in it until you die.” “I am a politician, I will always be a politician. I play the politics in my party and in my country for the good of my people,” Ibori had told a Reuters reporter in the UK.
After his arrival early hours of today, report by The Cable says that he has been pick up by Department of State Services (DSS), but secret agents said it should not be interpreted as an “arrest”.
He said: “It was pre-arranged that he should have a chat with the DSS director-general, Lawal Daura, upon his arrival. “He will not be detained. His appointment was for 12:00 hrs so the operatives went to pick him up and drove him down for the meeting.”
The statement disclosed that British officials would continue the legal process to confiscate the proceeds of the former governor’s loot, which would then be returned to Nigeria.
The statement reads: “Having been jailed for his crimes in the UK and served his sentence, Mr. Ibori has now been returned to Nigeria. The UK will continue to pursue, vigorously, the legal process to confiscate and return to Nigeria, Ibori’s criminal assets.
The UK is determined to lead the way in a coordinated global effort to bring the corrupt to justice. That is why it was vital we sent a clear message to the world that James Ibori, a man who stole millions from the Nigerian Government and laundered those proceeds in the UK, has been held to account.
Mr. Ibori’s return will not prevent prosecutors from pursuing confiscation proceedings against him.”