Former Governor Of Delta State, James Ibori may return to Nigeria in time for the 2015 elections due to the facilitation of a new agreement signed by Nigeria and Britain.
The revelation was made by the British Justice Minister Jeremy Wright during a working visit to Foreign Affairs, Prof Viola Onwuliri earlier today in Abuja.
Wright who signed the Prisoners’ Transfer Agreement (PTA) on behalf of the British government said the fate of the 521 Nigerian prisoners (including James Ibori) in the United Kingdom would be decided by the respective governments.
“In relation to individual prisoners, there has to be a good deal of discussion between our two countries about individual prisoners and the agreement of both countries to be secured before individual transfers.
“The compulsory nature of this prisoner transfer agreement is that the prisoners’ themselves do not have to choose where they go or not but the respective countries do still have an opportunity to discuss whether a transfer should be made,’’ he said.
Ibori was sentenced to 13 years imprisonment by a British Court in 2012. Also serving imprisonment include his wife, sister, a mistress, investment banker and lawyer after being found guilty on charges relating to corruption and money laundering.
Onwuliri described the agreement facilitation as “historic’’. She said, “We have been on the prisoners agreement for a long time and we are happy that we are beginning the year on a happy note by signing this agreement.’’