x

UK to seize $39 million from James Ibori lawyer

The United Kingdom authorities on Thursday moved to seize more than $39 million from a convicted lawyer who it said helped James Ibori laundered government funds.

Ibori, a former governor of Delta State for eight years, was convicted by a UK court in 2012 after pleading guilty to fraud and money laundering. He was extradited from the United Arab Emirates to Britain in 2011 and was convicted in 2012 and jailed for 13 years.

Bhadresh Gohil, who helped him siphoned money was also convicted in 2010 on a 13-count charge of money laundering and was sentenced to 10 years in prison. 

The judge who convicted Gohil described him as the “architect” of the scheme, adding that “it’s said the real villains are in Nigeria, but this fraud required special expertise and you lent yourself to it.”

The lawyer helped Ibori to buy assets such as an English country house and a $20 million private jet – although police caught up with the men before the jet was delivered.

Reuters reported that Gohil, a former partner at a London law firm, masterminded the operation in which about 37 million dollars was stolen from Delta State through the charging of fake consultancy fees in connection with the sales of its stakes in a telecoms company, V-Mobile.

The lead prosecutor in the case against Gohil, Jonathan Kinnear, laid out before the judge at London’s Southwark Crown Court on Thursday what he said was the lawyer’s criminal benefit.

A case for the confiscation of 117.7 million pounds was opened against Ibori in the same court in January. The judge is yet to make any pronouncement in that case.

A confiscation order has already been given in another case connected to Ibori. In September 2019, Judge David Tomlinson at Southwark Crown Court ordered a former Goldman Sachs banker Ellias Nimoh Preko to pay £7.3m.

Preko was sentenced to four and half years in prison in 2013 for his role in laundering $4m for Ibori.

In a twist to Gohil’s case, he was paid £200, 000 by UK’s Crown Prosecution Services after winning a case the police for unlawful detention for 33 days between 20 November and 22 December 2015.

Hot this week

Police to Begin Enforcement of Tinted Glass Permit in Kogi

By Noah Ocheni, LokojaThe Kogi State Police Command has...

Africa’s infrastructure deficit takes spotlight at pre-G20 event

..Two-day side event in Johannesburg seeks to mobilize global...

UIO Urges FG to Enforce Safety Standards in Inland Waterways Transportation

By Noah Ocheni, LokojaThe Ukomu Igala Organisation (UIO) has...

Nigeria @65: Northern CAN Urges Hope, Calls on Leaders to Strengthen Nation-Building

By Achadu Gabriel, KadunaThe Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN),...

Arsenal Hand Goalkeeper David Raya Improved Contract

Arsenal have rewarded Spanish goalkeeper David Raya with an...

Countdown to 2027: Tinubu to Appoint New INEC Chairman This Week

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially accepted the exit...

CBN committed to economic stability, clears $7bn FX backlog- Cardoso

By Ogenyi Ogenyi,UyoThe Central Bank of Nigeria,CBN, has...

Benue Not Among Worst Governed States in Nigeria — Gov Alia’s Aide Replies GGRI

By Isaac Kertyo, MakurdiThe Technical Adviser to the Benue...

Nasarawa Governor, Ministers Commend NCDC at Policy Review Retreat in Lafia

By Israel Adamu, JosThe Minister of Regional Development, Engr....

Kogi Assembly Swears In New Lawmaker, Hon. Hassan Shado Musa

By Noah Ocheni, LokojaThe Kogi State House of Assembly...

Gov Ododo Flags Off 2025 Immunization Campaign, Reaffirms Commitment to Polio-Free Kogi

By Noah Ocheni, LokojaThe Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed...

Related Articles

Popular Categories

spot_imgspot_img