Abuja, Nigeria - Former Governor of Nigeria's oil-rich Delta State, Mr. James Ibori, has been extradited to the UK to face corruption charges, according to Nigeria's anti-corruption Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Commission spokesman Femi Babafemi told journalists here Friday that the eventual extradition of the two-time governor, who is accused of stealing over US$290 million which he stashed away in British banks, was a 'welcome development'. 'Justice can only be delayed, it can never be denied,” Babafemi said. Mr. Ibori, who was recently released on bail over health issues, was reportedly re-arrested Thursday night in Dubai, put through the extradition process and later flown to the UK Friday.

While some of his accomplices, including his wife Theresa; sister Christine Ibie-Ibori; mistress
Udoamaka-Okoronkwo, and his UK lawyer, Bhadresh Gohil, are serving different jail terms in the UK, Ibori is expected to face three separate trials bordering on money laundering and theft.

His extradition was granted by the Court of Cessation in Dubai last December and he had reportedly made several attempts to escape since then until his eventual extradition on Friday.

Mr. Ibori escaped to Dubai from Nigeria after the EFCC declared him wanted.

Pana 16/04/2011