BREAKING: FORMER GOVERNOR OF DELTA STATE, NIGERIA JAMES IBORI RELEASED FROM UK PRISON BUT CAN'T LEAVE UK YET

James Ibori

The former governor of Delta State, Nigeria, Chief James Onanefe Ibori has been released from prison in UK. He was released a few minutes past noon today upon a court order. His media aide, Mr. Tony Elumenor confirmed the release to Vanguard Nigeria. Ibori was sentenced by a United Kingdom court to prison for 13 years for money laundering and served out his term midnight yesterday. 

The British Home Office had made an unsuccessful attempt to prevent his release, claiming that Ibori’s assets confiscation hearing was inconclusive.

The presiding Judge, Mrs. Justice May, who heard an emergency appeal filed by Ibori to enforce his rights, rejected the Home Office’s request to continue to detain him.

In her ruling, Justice May ordered his immediate release without conditions attached.

Ibori's mugshot

However, residents of Asaba, Delta State, who are currently celebrating the release of their former Governor may have to wait till well after January 2017 before they can physically embrace their son.

It was gathered that the ex-governor has to report to the Police once a week, hence his inability to return to Nigeria immediately.

He is reported to be currently restricted to his St. John’s Wood residence.

May ordered both parties to return to court in January.

Meanwhile, Ibori has appealed his conviction for money laundering and graft.

It will be recalled that Mr. Ibori was sent to jail for for stealing at least $250 million of public funds within the period he served as governor of the wealthy Delta state.

Mr. Ibori is the last of his friends and family to be jailed for his thefts as governor of the oil-rich Delta state.

His wife, sister and mistress have been convicted of money-laundering in the UK and served various terms in prisons.

His solicitor, Gohil, was also jailed for 10 years for helping syphon the money Mr. Ibori stole.

In addition to the prison terms, the Judge said Ibori’s sentencing was not the end of matter as his property will be confiscated and consequences may arise thereafter.

In 2007, a UK court froze assets allegedly belonging to him worth $35m after he failed to justify buying the property with his annual salary as Delta state governor of  less than $25,000.