BRITISH and Nigerian civil society groups have joined forces to press the British government for the expeditious and transparent return of funds confiscated from Nigerian politician James Ibori, a convicted fraudster. The collaborative effort, involving nearly 50 NGOs, aims to ensure that these funds can directly benefit the Nigerian population.
In a letter addressed to Britain’s home and foreign affairs ministers, this coalition, which includes influential organisations like Transparency International and the Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice, emphasised the urgency of the matter. The letter, made public by one of its signatories, Spotlight on Corruption, expressed concerns about the protracted confiscation process and its impact on the anti-corruption message conveyed 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,’ stated the letter.
James Ibori, a former governor of Nigeria’s oil-rich Delta State, pleaded guilty to ten counts of fraud and money laundering in a London court in 2012. He received a 13-year jail sentence, serving approximately half of it before returning to Nigeria. Despite his conviction, Ibori remains influential in Nigerian politics, with recent meetings with President Bola Tinubu and a network of associates in powerful positions.
The civil society groups insist that the confiscated funds should be allocated to projects benefiting the people of Delta State, with transparent implementation subject to monitoring by civil society organisations.
Efforts by British prosecutors to confiscate Ibori’s assets began in 2013 but have encountered repeated obstacles and delays within the London courts. In a significant development this year, a judge ordered the confiscation of £101.5 million from Ibori. This order represents one of the largest under Britain’s Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. Ibori has applied for leave to appeal against the order, and the appeal process is currently in its early stages.
The collaborative call by British and Nigerian civil society organizations underscores the importance of ensuring that funds recovered from Ibori’s illicit activities are returned swiftly and transparently to benefit the Nigerian people, particularly the residents of Delta State.
