Saharareporters, New York

Dateline:Nov. 15, 2007

The Court of Appeal Criminal Division sitting in London today handed down a devastating ruling against former Governor James Onanefe Ibori of Delta State.

Saharareporters gathered that the appellate court unanimously ruled that the Southwark Crown Court erred when it lifted the restraining order on Ibori's worldwide assets on October 1 2007. In what amounted to a sharp rebuke of the lower court, the appellate justices said the "restraining order should never have been lifted" in the first place.

The court therefore re-instated the restraint order on the former governor’s worldwide assets worth $35 million. They also ruled that all of Ibori's worldwide assets are protected from dissipation. That means that neither Ibori nor his agents would be able to transfer or otherwise use the assets.

Legal experts say the landmark ruling provides a critical and much-needed boost for the Metropolitan Police as they continue further criminal investigations into extensive money laundering activities carried out by Ibori and several accomplices. “Ibori is clearly in the pressure cooker,” said a lawyer familiar with the case but who sought anonymity. “He is, legally speaking, in a huge mess. The ruling means that the justices are convinced that there’s substantial—perhaps even overwhelming—evidence against Mr. James Ibori.”

Ibori’s well-oiled and usually boisterous propaganda machinery seemed to anticipate the latest legal reversal. In the past, the former governor’s handlers had issued boastful press releases declaring his confidence in winning. This time around, the governor seemed to have been cowed into a wait-and-see attitude.

One legal analyst told Saharareporters that today’s legal loss for Ibori at the Court of Appeal came despite Attorney General Michael Aondoakaa’s ploy to help the former governor. According to a legal expert, Mr. Andoakaa’s refusal to invoke "Article 3" of the Mutual Agreement Treaty on Corruption between the UK and Nigeria “was calculated to frustrate the Metropolitan Police and mar Ibori’s ongoing prosecution in London.” The treaty is meant as a tool to enable the two countries to cooperate in the pursuit of corruption cases.

A court source told Saharareporters that Nigeria's Attorney General went beyond that, Mr. Michael  Aondoakaa reportedly sent another letter through Ibori's lawyers in London to the Appeal Court judges to stop the proceedings, his letter was dismissed by the judges as they reinstated the restraint order today.

Robot  # 1 | 15.11.2007 11:00

Saharareporters, New York Dateline:Nov. 15, 2007 The Court of A...Read the full article.

dem  # 2 | 15.11.2007 13:31

Excellent! £35 million from just 8 years of governorship. What a thoroughly useless human stain on earth. Now if only the EFCC, ICPC, somebody, anybody can start criminal legal proceedings against this animal in Nigeria. Insufferable son of perdition. To hell with him and his stolen wealth.

picato  # 3 | 15.11.2007 13:46

I am beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Why? If hiding the proceeds from corruption is made much difficult by the tunes we are getting from the West, then the incentive to steal and stash away will be reduced. This is a mini-victory for the Deltans in particular who wallowed in poverty during Ibori's eight years of desolation and plunder, and Nigerians in general for it send a signal to would be thieves in every shades and forms that tomorrow is another day.

nijalaw  # 4 | 15.11.2007 14:55

I just took out my calculator, converted $35 million to Naira & almost had a heart attack. 45.5 Billion Naira, Wow!!! What is the EFCC & ICPC waiting for? There is no way Ibori had these assets prior to 1999 & no legitimate business operating from Nigeria could amass this wealth in 8 years. Aondakaa & UMYA are obviously protecting Ibori & If not for the Met Police he would be laughing away at us with his stolen billions. I learnt the Delta SG has gone on appeal over last weeks ruling on their ridiculous exparte motion. Uduaghan obviously has nothing to offer Deltans except to protect his cousins 8 years of shameless looting.

Chidi Anyaeche  # 5 | 15.11.2007 15:36

Sowore of Saharareporters Many thanks for your sterling work in investigative journalism, in unmasking these reprobates calling themselves politicians, in shaming the press in Nigeria that have been bought over by these criminals. For without you, news, like these will not have been brought into public domain. One wishes you were around during the looting spree of that cleptomaniac called IBB. Remain blessed.

ezyvic  # 6 | 15.11.2007 15:51

=dem;2091820349>Now if only the EFCC, ICPC, somebody, anybody can start criminal legal proceedings against this animal in Nigeria. Dem, that is the spirit we have been clamoring for on this forum. I read a group of Nigerians have packaged documents exhibiting the fraudulent practices of OBJ and pressing for his trial. So, what stop YOU spearheading legal proceedings against Ibori or even insisting that the EFCC and the ICPC start off court proceedings after investigation. You have my signature on any option you decide to go with.

dem  # 7 | 15.11.2007 16:23

=ezyvic;2091820405>Dem, that is the spirit we have been clamoring for on this forum. I read a group of Nigerians have packaged documents exhibiting the fraudulent practices of OBJ and pressing for his trial. So, what stop YOU spearheading legal proceedings against Ibori or even insisting that the EFCC and the ICPC start off court proceedings after investigation. You have my signature on any option you decide to go with. Ezyvic I've done my little bit within my limited capabilities. The legal agencies in Nigeria just have to follow through now. Remember the petition that was brought forward by some Delta elders to the EFCC detailing how much they thought this leper had stolen? Well I contributed (in a small way) in helping put that together. Plus, I've written the odd article about his kleptocracy. Painfuly negligible and sometimes ineffectual, we all do the best we can. But you're right, me and my people in Delta perhaps could be more enterprising. Any ideas?

Ebe  # 8 | 15.11.2007 16:24

One legal analyst told Saharareporters that today’s legal loss for Ibori at the Court of Appeal came despite Attorney General Michael Aondoakaa’s ploy to help the former governor. According to a legal expert, Mr. Andoakaa’s refusal to invoke "Article 3" of the Mutual Agreement Treaty on Corruption between the UK and Nigeria “was calculated to frustrate the Metropolitan Police and mar Ibori’s ongoing prosecution in London.” The treaty is meant as a tool to enable the two countries to cooperate in the pursuit of corruption cases. A court source told Saharareporters that Nigeria's Attorney General went beyond that, Mr. Michael Aondoakaa reportedly sent another letter through Ibori's lawyers in London to the Appeal Court judges to stop the proceedings, his letter was dismissed by the judges as they reinstated the restraint order today. If this is true, it portends a depressing throwback to the OBJ era when anti-corruption was more of a slogan than a program of action and when the government shielded those in its good books. I refuse to believe that this Aondoakaa guy is doing this without the knowledge, permission, or both, of Yar'Adua. After all, Ibori bankrolled Yar'Adua's presidential campaign. It's very depressing that the Brits appear more enthused about bringing Ibori to justice than our government is. At the end of the day, no matter what happens, the crafty Brits will claim that they are interested in recovering looted funds despite their record of providing a haven for such funds. They'll come out smelling like roses, which will provide ammo for those who say Africans are the sole architects of their misfortunes and that Whites are magnanimous, altruistic helpers.

eleniyan  # 9 | 15.11.2007 16:52

indeed a good news for the time being

JAGA-JAGA  # 10 | 15.11.2007 17:29

A court source told Saharareporters that Nigeria's Attorney General went beyond that, Mr. Michael Aondoakaa reportedly sent another letter through Ibori's lawyers in London to the Appeal Court judges to stop the proceedings, his letter was dismissed by the judges as they reinstated the restraint order today. That ANACONDA wrote another letter on behalf of his 'client' Ibori so as to shield him from long arm of the law is a big shame. All those who have been supporting actions of Anacondan in this forum, this is the time for you to gear up further reasons why the current AGF should remain on his seat. What a mess. This is Attorney General for rich crooks. period.:rolleyes:

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