Nigeria’s former Delta State Governor, Chief James Ibori, has been released from prison after serving 13 years term in the UK.
According to reports, Ibori was released a few minutes past noon following a a court order.
Mr. Tony Elumenor, one of his aide was reported to have confirmed the release of the ex-governor who was jailed for money laundering.
Ibori was sentenced by a United Kingdom court to prison for 13 years and served out his term midnight on Tuesday.
The news of the release of Ibori is trending in the social media as many have taken to twitter to comment on the release.
JJ. OmojuwaVerified account @Omojuwa said : “BREAKING: James Ibori released from UK prison.’’
“James Ibori has been released from Prison,’’ says STARTUP SUPPORT NG @ninethChord .
Politicalarena1 @politicalarena1 , tweeted, : “Former governor of Delta state, James Ibori, released from UK prison after serving jail term’’.
Okunrin meta @habbeyluti says James Ibori is released from prison…… I expect arousing home coming party for this dude soon.
The Herald @HeraldNG reported, “Former Governor James Ibori Released from UK Jail.’’
ABUJA FACTS @Abuja_Facts screamed: “JUST IN: Former Governor of Delta State, Chief James Onanefe Ibori has been released from prison. He was released upon a court order.’’
Ex-governor of Delta state James Ibori, jailed in the UK for 13 years for money-laundering offences, reportedly regains freedom, Fidelis Mbah @FidelisMbah #Nigeria, said.
paceTV Nigeria @paceTVng said that Ibori was exppected back to Nigeria after serving jail term in the UK
Banji Oyebola @htweet1 made an update in his tweet, saying – James Ibori To Return From UK Prison On Dec 23.
Meanwhile, Chief James Onanefe Ibori, d Ogidigboigboi of Africa returns soon. Very soon! Delta will declare a huge banquet. @jesseshock75
URHOBO 🗿 WAYO @Gifted_Black “ His Excellency Chief James Onanefe Ibori to be brought back home on the 23rd Day of Dec. 2016. Odidigboegbo’’
Born on 4 August 1959, Ibori was the Governor of Delta State from 29 May 1999 to 29 May 2007.
He was a member of the then ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
Ibori’s corruption charges started with filling of petitions by his kinsmen to the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC).
In 2007, the Metropolitan Police raided the London offices of lawyer Bhadresh Gohil.
As a result of these corruption allegations, the United Kingdom courts froze Ibori’s assets there, valued at about £17 million ($35 million), in early August 2007.
His wife, Nkoyo, was arrested at Heathrow Airport in London on 1 November 2007, in connection with the probe of the assets of her husband, particularly in the United Kingdom.
On December 17, 2009, A Federal High Court sitting in Asaba, Delta State, discharged and acquitted Ibori of all 170 charges of corruption brought against him by EFCC.
On 13 May 2010, Ibori was arrested in Dubai, United Arab Emirates under Interpol arrest warrants, issued from United Kingdom courts and enacted by the Metropolitan Police.
The Nigerian government and the United Kingdom then agreed to work together on Ibori’s extradition to the United Kingdom.
He was finally extradited to UK where he was tried and jailed.
Source: NAN
