‘Finally! Justice for the people of Nigeria’.

One Moment Of “Justice For Nigeria”- A Witnesses’ Account Of The Sentencing Of James Ibori’s Sister And Mistress




Monday, 07 June 2010 22:40
Southwark Crown Court, London, 7 June 2010: 1:23 PM Court clerk advises everyone to vacate court. Doors leading to Court 8 secured. I guess we all have to ‘rush’ for the limited space at 2 PM. 1:28 PM James Ibori associates case T20087009 sentencing moved to Court 9 to make room for more members of public who were arriving in droves.

1:49 PM Relatives of Adebimpe Pogoson, the acquitted Ibori ‘Personal Assistant’ arrive in buoyant mood.

1:55 PM-We all stand in front of Court 9 hoping to get a seat. Now must turn phone off.

1:55 PM Court 9 filled to capacity. Nigerians offer to seat on the floor because the courtroom is filled to capacity. Full British media represented.

2:05 PM Some protest about not having enough seats to go round
2:06 PM Prison service arrive arrives without accused persons
2:10 PM Court clerk informs prison service of potential delay
2:15 PM Increased security and crowd increases

2:20 PM Accused persons arrive. First to arrive was Mrs. Udoamaka Okoronkwo Onuigbo, wearing a brown sweater on a beige camisole, and looking downcast, followed by Christine Ibori-Ibie. Udoamaka makes no attempt at eye contact with Nigerians in the court gallery. When Christine ibie Ibori who wore a black sweater over a purple shirt, sat down she raised her head and scans the gallery as if looking for some her people within the courtroom. She appears confused, a bit nervous and depressed. She later turned to her defence counsel in low inaudible tone. To underscore their situation, they were encased in a glass cubicle surrounded by prison guards. It was obvious that the trial had worn them out completely as they both look pensive and moody.

2:25 PM Clerk informs the media representatives including SaharaReporters that the judge is considering relocating the sentencing hearing to a bigger court room, this would be the second time, we were relocated as more Nigerians arrive in droves.

2:40 PM Clerk informs media ahead of members of the public that the biggest court was Court 1 and all members of the media were to discreetly relocate. The Citizen reporters passed on the information to Nigerians outside and a near stampede took place.

2:43 PM Court 1 is filled to capacity. Both media and members of the public were forced sit wherever they could find space.

2:50 PM Two female prison guards lead the convicted felon to Court 1. First to come in was Udoamaka, followed Christine.

2:52 PM Judge Christopher Hardy arrives. All persons in court rose to their feet to herald his arrival to court. Judge scans the room as everyone seated, including the two felons about to be sentenced to prison. Subsequently, judge informs court that a significant number of the jury indicated unusual request to be present at this sentencing. He granted their request and gives permission for jury to be brought into the courtroom.

2:54 PM Clerk calls out names of convicts and they rise to their feet. They acknowledged each with a nod and sat down. Prosecutor brings in an application relating to trial 2 and also arguments about confiscation of properties earlier frozen by the court. An application was made by the lead prosecutor, Sasha Wass QC for the court to grant that all assets should be confiscated. The Crown prosecutor also submitted that the convicts be compelled to declare all undisclosed assets. Prosecutor suggests August 16th 2010 for confiscation proceedings. Leading defence counsel Andrew Trollope QC makes a surprise submission informing the court that his chambers may not represent either of the accused in subsequent cases or any other case for that matter. A confiscation proceeding was therefore adjourned till a later date.

3:40 PM Andrew Trollope QC, for the defence, rises to give a passionate plea before sentencing. He stated that both Christine and Udoamaka suffered undisclosed illnesses. He brought out documents that appeared like medical records and a character testimonial and passed it to the judge; the contents were not revealed to the open court. However, Trollope stylishly told someone that one of it was a letter from Christine’s pastor describing her as an exemplary woman who was caught up in unfortunate circumstances.

Defence counsel also stated that the likelihood of convicts reoffending was slim and stated “they were caught up in the most unusual circumstance”. He also stated that Christine Ibori’s daughter is suffering from sickle cell anemia.

He further stated that Christine ibori is a victim claiming that she has lived in the UK for 25 years in a north London suburb. Asking rhetorically, “You should ask why such a woman with a good back family background in this crime. The answer is James Ibori and it is he that must bear fullresponsibility.“ He furthered his argued, stressing that James Ibori was a very powerful man with considerable influence within the Nigerian political system and gave a comparison of the impact Ibori’s pressure would bear on his sister bearing in mind that family ties also play a significant role in the Nigerian culture .

In Trollope’s words: ‘He used her. Blame Ibori and not the sister. ‘ He further stated that though Christine may have legal ties to the assets, she does not really have control over them, ‘ Forty million pounds in assets in this case is not up to 10% of Ibori’s assets, so my client is not the principal money launderer. He pleaded with the judge to temper justice with mercy asking the court to consign her to a non- custodial sentence.

Udoamaka’s defence counsel started his plea by stating ‘I will summarize the circumstances leading to my client’s activity with one statement ‘She did it for love. She has a five-year-old daughter for James Ibori. She still loves him and loves her child.’ He further buttressed his argument that before she met James Ibori, Udoamaka was a rich woman and had handled large sums of money. The £4 million that had passed through her account belonged to James Ibori. She did not benefit from it. Because of her big business deals, it was almost impossible to monitor big money transfers. He stated that her gains could not be quantified in financial terms. In her emotional testimony in court where she disclosed her several IVF treatments before having Ibori’s lovechild should be a testament to her loyalty to Ibori. She was blinded by her emotional ties with Ibori.

He added that she had face criminal charges in Nigeria and had been discharged and acquitted. She spent 121 days in a Paris prison, she may be facing fresh charges in Nigeria if she returns to Nigeria and her future is bleak.

The Verdict
Judge Hardy acknowledged all the pleas, made mention of the special circumstances of them being far away from home, the effect of the custodial sentence on Udoamaka’s 5 year old daughter and especially because of her medical conditions. He also acknowledged the effect on Christine Ibori’s three children and he acknowledged the character witness of the pastor and the medical report submitted. He then stated as follows:

“ I am convinced you each indeed knew of these crimes, but refused to plead guilty when the opportunity was made available to you. I want to make it absolutely clear that Nigeria’s judiciary was usurped. Countries who are signatories to fighting corruption and money laundering must live to the full letter of their commitments. I would therefore apply the full weight of the British law to serve as punishment and deterrent. The jury was satisfied that you were connected to the assets that were spread all over the world including safe havens. Each of you benefited massively. You are not simply agents. Who knows how much you are still hiding?“ With these words, Judge Hardy then sentenced Christine Ibori- Ibie and Udoamaka Okoronkwo -Onuigbo to a total of 21 years in prison to be served concurrently; technically each accused person would serve 5 years in prison. There was wild jubilation in the gallery with Nigerian shouting repeatedly ‘Finally! Justice for the people of Nigeria’.

The convicts were led away by three prison guard, made of 2 female and a male- At this point everyone rushed out to catch a glimpse of the prison van that drove the convicts away.

4:00 PM the prison van drove the newest addition from Southwark Crown court 8 to prison to begin a five year prison sentence as pronounce by Judge hardy.