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Jun.07, 2010

LAGOS—A LONDON court will, today, pass sentence on Udoamaka Onuigbo, a mistress of former Governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori, and his sister, Christine Ibori-Ibie, who were  found guilty of money laundering and mortgage fraud last week.

Judge Christopher Hardy of the Southwark Crown Court who found Onuigbo and Ibori guilty of the charges preferred against them shifted the sentences to today.

Onuigbo was found guilty in counts 2, 3 and 4 in the case of money laundering filed under case number T20087009. She was, however, acquitted on one of the charges.

The 12 member jury found Christine Ibori-Ibie guilty of all charges of money laundering and mortgage fraud filed against her. Her sentence was, however, shifted ahead.

Ibori’s former assistant, Adebimpe Pogoson, was, however, acquitted of the charges against her.

Verdict of the court

Onuigbo and Christine Ibie were kept in prison awaiting the verdict of the court.

Those docked were Ibori’s mistress, Udoamaka; his sister, Christine Ibori-Ibie, and former personal aide, Pogoson. Also facing legal trouble are Ibori’s lawyer, Bhadresh Gohil, and his wife, Theresa Nkoyo Ibori.

Meanwhile, reactions have trailed the conviction of Ibori’s sister and his mistress. Some lawyers who reacted to the conviction said it was a good development, adding that Nigerian courts should take a cue from the London trial by dispensing cases before them timely.

A Senior Advocate, Emega Ngige said: “Justice has finally taken its course, though the convicts still have the opportunity to appeal the sentence. This, however, challenges our justice administration system, especially as it affects our courts. If it was Nigeria, the matter wouldn’t have been concluded within a short space.

“In Nigeria, ordinary preliminary issues would be dragged up to the Supreme Court. Here, when an accused is arraigned in court, the next thing is for him to secure his bail, following which he would file a series of motions asking the court to quash the charges preferred against him. This might eventually be dragged to the Supreme Court.

“A situation where an accused person dictates or determines the movement of a case, means so much to the criminal justice system. The judgment shows that there is nobody or any godfather that is above the law. Justice will always take its course no matter who is involved and what it takes.”

Fred Agbaje, in his reaction, said: “The judgment is a welcome relief to some of us who are ardent believers in the rule of law. I would have expected this to come from our own courts in Nigeria. Though our courts are trying their best, but much still need to be done.

“The implication of the London court’s judgment on Ibori’s sister is that it would push our courts to take the war against corruption as a serious one.  It is only in Nigeria that corruption is growing on daily basis.

“Now, the London court can also look at Ibori’s case too. When a court convicts an accomplice in any criminal case, whoever is involved should expect such judgment at any time. If nothing is done now, whoever is involved and has not been brought to book must realize that he or she is just bidding for time to answer his own case.”

A Lagos lawyer, Mr. Jiti Ogunye said the conviction of Ibori’s sister by a London court for money laundering, was a triumph for the rule of law.

He noted: “At this point, it is not whether Ibori will, forever escape justice. What is important is that the conviction of the woman is a conviction of Ibori by proxy. The personal tragedy of the Iboris’ battles with nemesis is that, whereas other remorseful godhead of a fraud clan, elect to sacrifice themselves to save their accomplices, Ibori seems to be willing to drag all his people into the net. Will Nigerian political class ever learn.”