Ibori alleges misconduct by British prosecutors at UK trial
Tue Jun 07, 2016 01:36:pm World
2.4K By Buchi Obichie
Lawyers representing former Governor of Delta State, James Ibori, who is now jailed in the UK for money laundering, have alleged serious misconduct by Britain's prosecuting authorities.
Their claim was made at a hearing in a London court on Monday.
Ibori's lawyers allege that the prosecution team failed to properly disclose information to the defence in relation to alleged corruption by a British police officer involved in the investigation, and that it made misleading statements in court.
Ibori, who was Governor of Delta State from 1999 to 2007, is serving a 13-year sentence in a British jail after pleading guilty in 2012 to 10 counts of fraud and money-laundering.
His conviction in Britain was seen as a high point in efforts to fight corruption in Nigeria.
However, Ibori's conviction on at least one count is now being called into question by his defence team, Judge David Tomlinson told Southwark Crown Court.
Prosecution lawyer Jonathan Kinnear, who took over the case earlier this year after the previous team stood down, said the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) was conducting a review into whether Ibori's convictions were sound and expected to conclude it in August.
According to Reuters, it would be a major embarrassment for Britain if the allegations of prosecutorial misconduct were confirmed and one or more of Ibori's convictions were quashed; especially at a time when Britain is trying to make a big push in the fight against corruption.
Recall that just before the start of a global anti-corruption summit which was hosted by the British Prime Minister, David Cameron, in London last month, the PM was caught on camera calling Nigeria "fantastically corrupt".
Ibori's defence team have applied for Judge Tomlinson to permanently halt court proceedings on the confiscation of Ibori's assets, which have been dragging on for years.
But the judge stated that granting the application would amount to a challenge on Ibori's convictions, a matter that should probably be dealt with by the Court of Appeal, a higher court.
"I am being invited to trespass into matters which are beyond my jurisdiction," he said.
No ruling was made at the Monday court hearing. Judge Tomlinson adjourned the case until Wednesday.
Their claim was made at a hearing in a London court on Monday.
Ibori's lawyers allege that the prosecution team failed to properly disclose information to the defence in relation to alleged corruption by a British police officer involved in the investigation, and that it made misleading statements in court.
Ibori, who was Governor of Delta State from 1999 to 2007, is serving a 13-year sentence in a British jail after pleading guilty in 2012 to 10 counts of fraud and money-laundering.
His conviction in Britain was seen as a high point in efforts to fight corruption in Nigeria.
However, Ibori's conviction on at least one count is now being called into question by his defence team, Judge David Tomlinson told Southwark Crown Court.
Prosecution lawyer Jonathan Kinnear, who took over the case earlier this year after the previous team stood down, said the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) was conducting a review into whether Ibori's convictions were sound and expected to conclude it in August.
According to Reuters, it would be a major embarrassment for Britain if the allegations of prosecutorial misconduct were confirmed and one or more of Ibori's convictions were quashed; especially at a time when Britain is trying to make a big push in the fight against corruption.
Recall that just before the start of a global anti-corruption summit which was hosted by the British Prime Minister, David Cameron, in London last month, the PM was caught on camera calling Nigeria "fantastically corrupt".
Ibori's defence team have applied for Judge Tomlinson to permanently halt court proceedings on the confiscation of Ibori's assets, which have been dragging on for years.
But the judge stated that granting the application would amount to a challenge on Ibori's convictions, a matter that should probably be dealt with by the Court of Appeal, a higher court.
"I am being invited to trespass into matters which are beyond my jurisdiction," he said.
No ruling was made at the Monday court hearing. Judge Tomlinson adjourned the case until Wednesday.
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