CSOs Demand Return Of Former Delta Governor Ibori Looted Fund To Nigeria

By Ayodele Oni

Some Nigeria and foreign based Civil Societies Groups have flayed the continued delay by the British Government to return to Nigeria funds seized from former Delta state Governor, James Ibori.

The groups, which include Transparency International and Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice, urged the British government to return the  funds confiscated from the former Governor for development of the state.

The groups noted that the money should be transferred in a transparent way so ordinary Nigerians can benefit from it.

Ibori pleaded guilty in a London court in 2012 to 10 counts of fraud and money laundering and was handed a 13-year jail sentence, of which he served about half before going home.

In July, a judge ordered the confiscation of 101.5 million pounds ($123.9 million) from him, one of the biggest orders under Britain’s Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 since it came into force.

Speaking via a letter, the coalition of close to 50 NGOs told Britain’s home and foreign affairs ministers that the delayed confiscation process has undermined the strong anti-corruption message sent by Ibori’s conviction over a decade ago.

“The years of disruption and delay in recovering and returning these stolen assets means this message has so far rung hollow for the Nigerian people,” said the letter, made public by one of its signatories, Spotlight on Corruption.

The NGOs, said funds confiscated from him should go to projects benefiting tol the people of Delta State and implementation should be subject to civil society monitoring.