James Ibori pleads guilty to money laundering,fraud and corruption charges

Former Delta State governor, James Ibori on Monday entered a guilty plea before the Southwark Crown Court in London where he has been undergoing trial for fraud and money laundering.Ibori pleaded guilty to 10 counts of fraud, money laundering and corruption charges before the sitting judge, Anthony Pitts.
The guilty plea brings to a close, the long drawn battle started by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) which was meant to force the former governor to answer to the corrupt deals he carried out during the eight years he governed the state.

According to the EFCC, Ibori siphoned funds from the Delta State treasury into personal accounts in London.His accomplices – including his sister, Christine Ibie-Ibori; his associate, Udoamaka Okonkwo; and his wife, Theresa Ibori – have already received sentences ranging between five and eight years, for aiding the former governor’s illicit activities during his two-term tenure.
His UK-based lawyer, Bhadresh Gohil, was also handed a 10-year sentence in April 2011. He had earlier been given a 7-year sentence that runs concurrently with his more recent conviction.
Ibori was apprehended by Interpol in Dubai and extradited to London in 2011, where he has since remained in police custody.