After a four-year hunt, a former governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori, was yesterday arrested in Dubai and extradited to the United Kingdom for trial for alleged money laundering.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) described Ibori’s extradition as a welcome development.
Ibori has been under investigation by the Metropolitan Police since 2007 in relation to worldwide assets worth $35 million.
A top source in the EFCC, who spoke in confidence, said the anti-graft agency had received an alert that Ibori was released by a Dubai Court on Thursday and arrested by the UK Police on Friday.
The source confirmed that a signal had been sent to the EFCC by the Metropolitan Police.
The source said: "Actually, Ibori lost the battle against extradition to the UK . He sought to be tried in Dubai but his application was not granted.
"At a point, the ex-governor had another mortgage issue in Dubai, believing that his trial for the mortgage case would forestall his extradition to the UK .
"In a surprise twist, the Dubai Court refused to hear the mortgage case first. So, the ex-governor lost the extradition battle.
In its reaction, the EFCC, through its Head of Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Babafemi, confirmed the arrest of Ibori.
Babafemi said: "The EFCC chairman has been properly briefed.
"The eventual extradition of a former Governor of Delta State, James Ibori from Dubai to the United Kingdom today is a welcome development and a warning signal to others who do everything to slow down the wheel of criminal prosecution in Nigeria that justice can only be delayed, it can never be denied."
When contacted, the spokesman for the ex-governor, Mr. Tony Eluemunor,said: "I do not have such information now. I still have to crosscheck what you are saying."
The extradition of Ibori ended almost four years litigation over the matter.
On August 2, 2007, an Application of Restraint was heard at Southwark Crown Court on Ibori’s assets worth $35 million.
The Application was successful and made under the Proceeds of Crime Act. It related to business and private finances.
On 1 October 2007, the application was reviewed at a further hearing at Southwark Crown Court and the restraint was discharged.
On 8 October 2007, leave to appeal the discharge was granted at the High Court and pending a full appeal by the Crown, the Application of Restraint was reinstated."
The EFCC had on April 13 declared Ibori wanted in connection with alleged diversion of the shares of Delta State in Oceanic Bank to guarantee over N44 billion facility granted Ascot Offshore Nigeria Limited by Intercontinental Bank.
Although Ibori had gone to court to seek redress, he had refused to surrender to the EFCC.
The development forced the Acting President to order the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Ogbonnaya Onovo, to launch a manhunt for him.
An attempt in April by the police to arrest Ibori at his country home in Oghara, Delta State failed following resistance by some militants.
But the ex-Governor later escaped to Dubai where he was arrested by INTERPOL and taken to Dubai Court of First Instance.
Ibori was granted bail by Dubai Court and placed on restriction pending the determination of the application for his extradition.
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