Former Delta State Govornor James Ibori, recently released from a British
prison after serving a sentence for corruption, is set to return home.
In line with normal British practice, Ibori was released in December after
serving half of his 13-year sentence, taking into account pre-trial
detention. He has now hinted of his plan to return to Nigeria within days
“What happens in African politics – you are in it until you die,” Ibori
told Reuters in London yesterday.
“I am a politician, I will always be a politician. I play the politics in
my party and in my country for the good of my people,” he said after a
court hearing, part of ongoing legal proceedings in his case.
After his release, a video surfaced on YouTube of Ibori being feted in
London by supporters including Senator Peter Nwaoboshi, who said, to
cheers, that Ibori had “made” the careers of several prominent Nigerian
politicians while in prison.
Ibori declined to say whether this was true. “The prison telephone is
meant for keeping in touch … so you can reintegrate when you come out,” he
said.
Asked if he would run for office again, Ibori said he was barred from
doing so for 10 years because of his conviction, but that he intended to
appeal to have that conviction overturned.
The appeal would centre on an allegation, made by one of Ibori’s former
associates, that a British police officer had taken bribes in return for
inside information on the case before Ibori’s conviction, and that
prosecutors had covered it up.
British police said the allegation was investigated, resulting in no
arrests or charges.
am Returning Back To Nigeria For Politics-Ibori
Former Delta State Govornor James Ibori, recently released from a British
prison after serving a sentence for corruption, is set to return home.
In line with normal British practice, Ibori was released in December after
serving half of his 13-year sentence, taking into account pre-trial
detention. He has now hinted of his plan to return to Nigeria within days
“What happens in African politics – you are in it until you die,” Ibori
told Reuters in London yesterday.
“I am a politician, I will always be a politician. I play the politics in
my party and in my country for the good of my people,” he said after a
court hearing, part of ongoing legal proceedings in his case.
After his release, a video surfaced on YouTube of Ibori being feted in
London by supporters including Senator Peter Nwaoboshi, who said, to
cheers, that Ibori had “made” the careers of several prominent Nigerian
politicians while in prison.
Ibori declined to say whether this was true. “The prison telephone is
meant for keeping in touch … so you can reintegrate when you come out,” he
said.
Asked if he would run for office again, Ibori said he was barred from
doing so for 10 years because of his conviction, but that he intended to
appeal to have that conviction overturned.
The appeal would centre on an allegation, made by one of Ibori’s former
associates, that a British police officer had taken bribes in return for
inside information on the case before Ibori’s conviction, and that
prosecutors had covered it up.
British police said the allegation was investigated, resulting in no
arrests or charges.