The former governor of Delta State, Mr. James Ibori, has been released from the UK prison where he has spent four years and eight months over money laundering and conspiracy to defraud.
Ibori, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, was accused in February 2012 of stealing $250m from the Delta State public purse.
The convict, who was governor of of the state between 1999 and 2007, admitted to fraud totalling nearly £50m.
He was jailed on Tuesday, April 17, 2012, for 13 years by the Southwark Crown Court after pleading guilty to ten counts of money laundering and conspiracy to defraud.
Barely minutes after the report surfaced online, Nigerians have hit social media to express their opinions on the development.
Below are some of the reactions on Twitter:
@Kenawel i would not be surprised either, because Nigeria is a country where we celebrate criminals
— Imagine This (@imaginethis247) December 21, 2016
James Ibori who was jailed in the UK for 13 years for money-laundering has been reported to regain freedom. Expect a heroic welcome from PDP
— A.S. Aruwa (@MusadiqZ) December 21, 2016
As Tinubu walks a free man, I join my Delta state people to welcome James Ibori.
Let the drums beat!!
— olutoyosi omotoso (@iToyindahouse) December 21, 2016
@Bodite @vanguardngrnews @Gidi_Traffic Who knows his next agenda?He introduced judicial corruption.What has he schemed or is scheming to do?
— Eden O Efuru (@EEfuru) December 21, 2016
@vanguardngrnews @Gidi_Traffic @LeadersNG @trafficbutter happy for him
— Joe armani (@Armanibensu) December 21, 2016
@GuardianNigeria now watch him run for presidency in 2019 ?
— Gift Wöbö (@Gifted_pearl) December 21, 2016
@Omojuwa @OccupyNaija battle for 2019, just got started, let d pendulum swings
— Aigbe nosakhare (@Blaknosa) December 21, 2016
@Omojuwa The boss of the vipers is back. Hmmmm, didn’t realise he even retained the service of a media aide from prison. Boss, indeed.
— Kene (@TheKene1) December 21, 2016
@Omojuwa : The godfather of corruption. Sure he will be celebrated in Delta state toady.And his political sons will give him red carpet @MMA
— Lanre Oyeleye (@107608) December 21, 2016
@Omojuwa Wouldn’t be surprised to hear of his acceptance ceremony as he joins APC.
— Comr[Dr] Balogun I.B (@babatundebalo) December 21, 2016
James Ibori out from his all expense paid vacation for UK prison, he is expected to receive a heroes welcome and a medal once he lands home.
— Imran Ali (@Hovabravo) December 21, 2016
I see an alignment here, Mustapha is out gallivanting around and James Ibori too will be coming home???? Hell is too small for two devils
— Ayekooto (@thebardogbamola) December 21, 2016
They’re looking for alibis to divert your attention from the #2017budget like James Ibori.
— ThankGod Ukachukwu (@tksilicon) December 21, 2016
We learnt Ibori was released by Mrs. Justice May of the Royal Court of Justice Court 1 in London after he completed his money laundering jail term.
The 57-year-old’s hometown of Oghara in the oil rich state has been agog in anticipation of the return of the man dubbed the Odidigborigbo of Africa.
A former commissioner during Ibori’s administration, Ighoyota Amori, had said on September 25 in a speech in Oghara during the 50th birthday celebration of another ex-commissioner, Ben Igbakpa, that “Our leader, Chief James Onanefe Ibori, will soon return to Oghara. Chief James Onanefe Ibori will spend this year’s Christmas with us here.
“His coming is as certain as death. We will all gather to give him a wonderful reception here in Oghara. And our lives will begin again once he returns to the country.”
However, it was gathered that the former governor will be confined to a flat on Abbey Road, St. John’s Wood area in London, pending a confiscation hearing scheduled for January.
Ibori will also visit a police station in Croydon regularly.
His house arrest means he is far from being a free man, and will certainly not be spending the Christmas with his friends and relatives in Nigeria.
