British and Nigerian civil society groups are jointly calling on the British government to promptly and transparently return funds confiscated from Nigerian politician James Ibori, a convicted fraudster, with the aim of benefiting ordinary Nigerians.
Nearly 50 NGOs, including Transparency International and Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice, penned a letter to Britain’s home and foreign affairs ministers expressing their concern. They emphasized that the protracted confiscation process has undermined the strong anti-corruption message that Ibori’s conviction sent more than a decade ago.
The letter, made public by one of its signatories, Spotlight on Corruption, stated that the years of disruption and delay in recovering and repatriating these ill-gotten assets have left the Nigerian people feeling let down.
James Ibori, a former governor of Nigeria’s oil-rich Delta State, pleaded guilty to 10 counts of fraud and money-laundering in a London court in 2012 and served about half of his 13-year prison sentence before returning to Nigeria. Despite his conviction, he maintains influence in Nigeria and has held meetings with President Bola Tinubu, among other powerful figures.
The coalition of NGOs insists that the confiscated funds should be directed toward projects benefiting the people of Delta State, and the implementation of these projects should be subject to monitoring by civil society.
Efforts to seize Ibori’s assets by British prosecutors commenced in 2013 but have faced multiple setbacks and delays in the London courts. In July, a judge ordered the confiscation of £101.5 million ($123.9 million) from him, marking one of the largest orders under Britain’s Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. Ibori has sought leave to appeal this order, and his appeal process is in its early stages.
By FCCT Editorial Team freeslots dinogame telegram营销
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