Ibori to return soon; appears in UK court for asset forfeiture hearing

By Ovasa Ogaga

The former governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori, on Friday appeared before a Southwark Crown court in the ongoing case of asset forfeiture hearing, along with many of his supporters who had arrived London few days earlier in a show of solidarity for their leader.

Recall that Chief Ibori, recently regained his freedom in December 2016 after spending four-and-a-half years in a United Kingdom prison for money laundering, may forfeit assets worth about £250m should the judge rule against him, according to media report.

The British Government had accused Ibori of stealing about $250m from the Delta State Government part of which was used in buying six houses and luxury vehicles in the UK, the United States and South Africa, however, Ibori argued that his assets were legitimately acquired.

Ibori has assured his teaming supporters in a recent video that he will soon be back to Nigeria to reunite with his family and associates, if the case goes in his favour, he also promised to challenge and upturn his earlier conviction.