Ibori Family reacts to release and rearrest Drama

Former Delta State governor, James Ibori, was not released from prison and subsequently re-arrested as currently being peddled by media reports, according to his kinsman and Secretary-General, Oghara Clan Union in the UK, Mr Charles Abutoh.

Mr Abutoh said in an interview in London yesterday that the former governor was still serving his term at the Long Lartin Prison in Worcestershire, England, contrary to the reports that he was moved to a prison in Bedford.

Describing the reports as “totally untrue”, Abutoh said logically, Ibori could not be released before the completion of his assets confiscation trial scheduled for June this year, and accused those peddling the rumours of mischief.

“If you imprison someone for stealing, you can’t let them go without telling you what you say they stole. That is the essence of the confiscation trial. Once the trial is concluded and he is able to settle it, he will be released.

“They know Ibori sells papers, so some people just sit down and write whatever they like”, he said, and explained that the former governor is due to be released this year but not before the completion of the confiscation case.

“I visited him in prison about three weeks ago and speak with him every other day”, he said, adding that “things are still as they are, and everything is on course”.

Mr Ibori was jailed for 13 years in April 2012 in London for stealing and money laundering, among other offences.