Ruona Agbroko
October 3, 2009 11:03PMT
Presiding judge Christopher Hardy at the Southwark Crown court in London on Friday adjourned till November 9, hearing on the money laundering trial involving the female aides of the former governor of Delta State, James Onanefe Ibori [pictured]. The aides reportedly helped him move an estimated £70 million worth of looted funds through several London banks.
The judge reportedly based his decision on an ongoing trial in Asaba, Delta State filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission against Mr. Ibori and Udoamaka Onuigbo, one of the accused.
The lawyers defending Ms. Onuigbo; Bimpe Pogoson, Ibori’s former personal assistant on confidential matters; and Christie Ibori-Ibie, his sister had requested a halt to the hearing pending the conclusion of the case in Asaba.
Reports show that the defence and prosecution teams have remained divided in their arguments. The defence reportedly maintained that should Mr. Ibori be acquitted of the charges against him, the case in the UK against his former aides would not stand.
The prosecution was however of the view that even if Mr. Ibori was not indicted in Nigeria, they possessed sufficient evidence in the UK to convict the defendants.
Also, while the defence argued that the Ibori trial was being expedited and would be concluded within three months, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, in its correspondence with the London Metropolitan Police claimed that the trial might run till 2011 across all necessary courts.
What the Judge said
According to news reports, prior to announcing the ruling, Judge Hardy had asserted that counsel to both parties were prepared for the trial proper to start in the UK, and that the verdict on the Asaba case would in no way affect the proceedings and outcome of the UK trial.
He, however, announced that going by information made available to him that hearing on the case in Asaba would be held on October 26, his court would commence the trial of the three accused persons two weeks later, from November 9, 2009. Judge Hardy also said that bail conditions for the defendants would not be waived, regardless of the adjournment.
The judge reportedly based his decision on an ongoing trial in Asaba, Delta State filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission against Mr. Ibori and Udoamaka Onuigbo, one of the accused.
The lawyers defending Ms. Onuigbo; Bimpe Pogoson, Ibori’s former personal assistant on confidential matters; and Christie Ibori-Ibie, his sister had requested a halt to the hearing pending the conclusion of the case in Asaba.
Reports show that the defence and prosecution teams have remained divided in their arguments. The defence reportedly maintained that should Mr. Ibori be acquitted of the charges against him, the case in the UK against his former aides would not stand.
The prosecution was however of the view that even if Mr. Ibori was not indicted in Nigeria, they possessed sufficient evidence in the UK to convict the defendants.
Also, while the defence argued that the Ibori trial was being expedited and would be concluded within three months, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, in its correspondence with the London Metropolitan Police claimed that the trial might run till 2011 across all necessary courts.
What the Judge said
According to news reports, prior to announcing the ruling, Judge Hardy had asserted that counsel to both parties were prepared for the trial proper to start in the UK, and that the verdict on the Asaba case would in no way affect the proceedings and outcome of the UK trial.
He, however, announced that going by information made available to him that hearing on the case in Asaba would be held on October 26, his court would commence the trial of the three accused persons two weeks later, from November 9, 2009. Judge Hardy also said that bail conditions for the defendants would not be waived, regardless of the adjournment.
Excerpts of his decision which were made available to NEXT read thus:
“I am asked to rule on the propriety of the UK proceedings whilst the Nigerian proceedings have yet to take place.
“I had requested further information from Nigeria as to the state of play there and the information I have received has been very helpful. I am told that the Prosecution are ready for trial and they can see no reason for any delay. I am of the view that the outcome of the Nigerian proceedings are not determinative for the UK trial, however I also accept that it would be unfair to proceed in the UK as the hearing in Nigeria is only a few weeks away. In order to prevent any injustice on the defendants,
it would be unfair to proceed. I am told that the hearing in Nigeria will be short, it is expected to last a couple of hours and the judgement will be within two weeks. I believe therefore the Court should have the full picture and so will adjourn this matter to the 9th November 2009, when trial will start. I am also reminded that Court of Appeal applications will be heard during this time”.
*Photo by NEXT
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