James Ibori’s trial begins in London, supporters besiege court

The money laundering case against a former governor of Delta State, James Ibori, began on Friday at a London court with a preliminary trial, which was witnessed by several of his supporters.

According to TheWill, an online news portal, hundreds of Ibori’s supporters had besieged the court on Friday afternoon to witness the commencement of his trial and show their support for the ex-governor.

Clad in ‘Free Ibori’ and ‘Deltans want Ibori back home’ T-shirts, some of the supporters claimed to have come all the way from Nigeria for the trial, while most claimed to be London-based.

Ibori is standing trial for allegedly misappropriating more than $200m during his tenure as governor of the oil-rich Delta State.

However, the former governor has maintained his innocence, seeing his present circumstance as political persecution.

Appearing before Judge Rivli QC at midday, Ibori sported a dark blue suit and white shirt.

The lead prosecutor, M.S. Wass, who opened the hearing, explained that two trials were to be conducted against Ibori and asked that they be joined.

She requested the court to handle the first matter in July and the second hearing in November.

After a short recess, the next hearing date was set for July 22, 2011 by 10am.

Ibori had previously appeared at the City of Westminster Magistrate’s Court on April 22, 2011 and at the Southwark Crown Court on April 28, 2011. Both appearances had been via a video link.


Ibori’s supporters, who took over the court gallery, had a little confrontation with the court security when they were asked to leave.

It wasn’t until the security personnel threatened to use force that some of Ibori’s supporters vacated the public gallery that was already overwhelmed by their number. At the end of the hearing, shouts of ‘Ogidigborigbo’ rent the air as the supporters enthusiastically waved back at Ibori when he acknowledged them with a wave.