London Court hears British Police appeal against Ibori

The Crown Prosecution Service of the British Police will on Tuesday (today) continue with its prosecution of the former Delta State Governor, Chief James Ibori.

This time around, the court is expected to hear an appeal brought before it by the CPS over the decision of a lower court to discharge an order restraining Ibori from having access to his assets.
The panel, scheduled to begin sitting at 10:30 a.m., will be led by Justice William Gage and assisted by Justice Dame Staal and Ms. Justice Cox, according to a report by the online Sahareporters.com.

Responding to an electronic mail inquiry by our correspondent on Monday, the Met Police confirmed that the matter would come up as scheduled.
An application of restraint was heard and granted at the Southwark Crown Court in relation to worldwide assets worth $35m belonging to the former governor on August 2.
The Press Bureau of the Met Police said on Monday that, ”On October 1, the application was reviewed at a further hearing at Southwark Crown Court and the restraint was discharged.

”On October 8, leave to appeal the discharge was granted at the High Court and pending a full appeal by the Crown, the application of restraint has been reinstated.

”The appeal will be heard at the High Court on November 13. The investigation by Met Police Proceeds of Corruption Unit continues.”
Ibori had last week lost his bid to stop the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission from arresting him over allegation of money laundering.
Justice Gloria Okeke of the Federal High Court in Benin, Edo State, who had earlier granted an ex parte order against the EFCC, ruled that she had no jurisdiction over the matter.The ruling was believed to have exposed Ibori to arrest and prosecution by the EFCC.

The United States had earlier gave indications of plans to freeze Ibori‘s assets if the Nigerian government showed enough readiness to prosecute Ibori in Nigerian court.
Officials of the Met Police had already visited Nigeria with a view to gathering evidence in their pursuit of the matter against Ibori.