James Ibori hospitalised in Dubai …as nature of sickness remains undisclosed
It has been disclosed that the most wanted politician in Nigeria, James Onanefe Ibori has been hospitalized in Dubai following an undisclosed ailment.
Ibori has been in provisional custody in Dubai for over four months after he sought for refuge status in the United Arab Emirate. He was facing deportation to the United kingdom to face charges of money laundering and corruption.
His bail has been consistently denied following request for his deportation by United kingdom police authorities. He was arrested over money laundering charges in Dubai on May 1 this year.
The news of his sickness is coming to light as Dubai authority claimed during the week that the former governor of Delta state is heading to the Appeal court to fight his extradition to the United Kingdom through the court.
James Ibori.
The Dubai Public Prosecution recently referred him to Appeal court for trial.
Even though no date for the beginning of the trial has been set yet, he is expected to appear before the Court of Appeal soon.
In UAE law, it is known that for persons wanted for extradition by other countries, they must have been guilty of a criminal offence in that country. If nothing of such could be proven, then, the prosecution must refer their cases to the Dubai Court of Appeal as it would be the court to determine first hand if they should be so deported or not.
The Chief Judge then decides whether to extradite them or to uphold continuing stay in the country.
Ibori has been in provisional custody for over four months as his bail has consistently been denied following earlier court appearances.
He was arrested over money laundering charges in Dubai on May 1 this year following a warrant issued against him by the Interpol. He remains wanted for interrogation in the UK and Nigeria.
According to his solicitor, Ali Mousabeh, James Ibori has had to be hospitalised at some time during his four months detention, but not mentioning how life threatening the ailment was and even his current condition.
Dubai-police, claims he is heading to Appeal Court.
Ibori’s Counsel Mousabeh had sought for mercy for the high profile politician claiming that a court in Nigeria had cleared his client of a $85-million fraud charge.
“He has been acquitted of 172 counts charges laid against him by a Commission fighting Economic and Financial Crimes in Nigeria in 2007”, Mousabe said, claiming allegations against him which included corruption, hijacking and blowing up of a plane are yet to be proven.”
He was also accused of corruption in a $290-million fraud case during his stint as the governor of Delta State for eight years from 1999 to 2007.
But the anti-corruption Nigerian police could not arrest him because of violent demonstrations in his support in his southern home city.
Mousabeh, in his bail plea, said his client was a frequent visitor to the UK and was never arrested, indicted or interrogated there.
He also said that his client did not commit any crime in the UAE and argued that the accusations against him in his home country were politically motivated.
Ibori was a major factor behind the rise of former president Umaru Yar’Adua in 2007.
Umaru died a week before Ibory’s arrest in Dubai and Nigerian Vice-President Goodluck Jonathan took over the presidency vowing to fight corruption.
Related Posts
Short URL: http://www.emnnews.com/?p=6396
Posted by 
Dubais extradition laws states that they can only extradite him to London if he has committed a crime in London… Q: Did he comitt a crime in LONDON.
Answer : NO.any ALLEGED CRIMES WERE COMMITTED AGAINST NIGERIA and NOT BRITAIN… of which the courts in Nigeria cleared him.
Please send the man home after his medical treatment.
God is with you Mr Ibori and has caused you to triumph over your enemy.