How James Ibori was convicted of stealing - British policeman

Taiwo Adisa and Lanre Adewole, Abuja - 17.01.2008

A British policeman who investigated the conviction of one James Onanefe Ibori in London has given details of the conviction. The details of the court proceedings as given by DC John McDonald formed part of the processes relied upon by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in furtherance of the suit against the former governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori, in a Kaduna High Court.

The witness statement of McDonald indicated that the said James Onanefe Ibori was convicted of a one-count charge of theft. The statement read in part: “I can confirm that on 25th of January 1991, Mr. James Ibori at Isleworth Crown Court was convicted of a one-count charge of theft. He was fined 300 pounds sterling and ordered to pay 450 pounds costs.

“I have made further enquiries into the criminal convictions of Mr. James Ibori and can confirm that on the 7th of February 1992 at Clerkenwell Magistrates’ Court, London, Mr. James Ibori was convicted of one count of handling stolen goods contrary to Section 22 of the theft act 1968.

“The circumstances of that charge relate to Mr. Ibori’s possession of stolen American express card belonging to another, knowing or believing that card to be stolen.

“The original arrest for that offence took place on the 12th of September 1991 at Euston Rail Station. “During the procedure following his arrest, Mr. Ibori provided the address of 3 Artherstone Road, Harrow, Middlesex. I can confirm that as a result of the documentation in my possession that Mr. James Ibori and Miss Theresa Nakanda once owned this property.

“For the offence outlined above, Mr. Ibori was fined 100 pounds and ordered to pay 50 pounds costs.” The statement also indicated that Mrs. Theresa Nkoyo Ibori, whose maiden name was given as Nakanda, was arrested on November 1, 2007 at the Heathrow Airport on suspicion of money laundering; she was later found to be the same person as Miss Theresa Nakanda whose fingerprints were obtained on August 28, 1990.

“This statement is made upon the request of Police Superintendent Bello of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission of Nigeria. The statement is made with regard to Mr. James Onanefe Ibori and two previous criminal convictions held on record in the United Kingdom.”