Highly placed sources in the United Kingdom’s High Commission in Abuja have revealed that imprisoned former Governor of Delta State, James Ibori will serve out his remaining sentence in British custody. The source said part of the rationale of British authority to compel Ibori to serve out his sentence in the UK is to prevent a presidential pardon type scandal which is speculated to occur if the former Governor is transferred to Nigeria under a bi-lateral agreement between the two nations.
The Source said, “We are not planning to allow Ibori be a beneficiary of the exchange policy, it is not targeted at him. Our laws are very strong on money laundering; the exchange programme does not cover such people like Ibori.
“So, he will complete his prison terms in the UK as part of our own contribution to your anti-corruption agenda.
“If he is brought to Nigeria, we are not sure if he would not be pardoned as a result of pressure from some people.”
The source also revealed that the Nigerian authorities ahd not requested for Ibori to be returned to Nigeria.
“The Nigerian government has not made any request for the repatriation of Ibori home to complete his jail terms.”
Nigerian government officials are reportedly not keen on pushing for any pardon for Ibori in order to serve as a deterrent to other corrupt public office holders in the country.