London Money Laundering Trial: James Ibori, Victor Attah, Love Ojakovo, Henry Im... Imashekka And David Edevbie Facing 25- Count Indictment

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1 Page 1 of 8 Published on Sahara Reporters ( Home > News & Reports > News > London Money Laundering Trial: James Ibori, Victor Attah, Love Ojakovo, Henry Imashekka And David Edevbie Facing 25-Count Indictment London Money Laundering Trial: James Ibori, Victor Attah, Love Ojakovo, Henry Imashekka And David Edevbie Facing 25- Count Indictment By siteadmin Created Apr :16 ojaks_attah_ji_edevbie.jpg By SaharaReporters, New York The Crown Prosecution Service in the UK on Saturday filed money laundering and fraud charges against James Onanefe Ibori at the Westminster Magistrate court in London. The charges also featured some prominent Nigerians which include former Governor Victor Obong Attah of Akwa Ibom, David Edevbie, a former Principal Secretary to Umaru Yar'Adua, Love Ojakovo, a former commissioner of finance to Ibori and Henry Imashekka, a business associate of Ibori. These Nigerians are currently at large. During the first court appearance only one charge was read to Ibori in court before he was remanded in prison. Mr. Ibori, the erstwhile governor of Delta State, is now in Wandsworth prison category 'B' men's prison South west London after he successfully extradited to the UK on April 15 from the United Arab Emirates. On 25 April 2010, Ibori fled Nigeria for Dubai to evade capture by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on similar charges but shortly after arriving to the UAE he was arrested by the interpol and handed over to the UAE police in May 2010 at the request of the United Kingdom. The UK began extradition proceeding to bring him to trial in the UK in December 2011, he lost an appeal against his extradition to the U.K. Ibori was born on 4 August He became the governor of Delta State from in May 1999 leaving on May after spending eight years in office. For years, the man popular known as "Sheik", eluded the authorities in thee U. K. after they began investigating for graft running into million of dollars in assets that belonged to Delta State. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission put the value of what Mr. Ibori stole at $290 million, but a Wikileaks cable recently disclosed that Ibori admitted to having up to $3.4 billion. Already, Ibori s sister, Christine Ibie-Ibori and his mistress, Udoamaka Okoronkwo, have been convicted for money laundering in the United Kingdom. They were each sentenced to five years in prison. His wife, Theresa Ibori, was last year sentenced to between two- five years in prison for fraud and money laundering. His London lawyer, Mr. Bhadresh Gohil, was also sentenced to a 7-year term in prison for fraud and money laundering. Below are the details of the charges facing Mr. Theresa Ibori SCHEDULE OF OFFENCES CHARGE ONE

2 Page 2 of 8 Conspiracy to Defraud, Contrary to Common Law. James Onanefe Ibori between the 1st day of June 1999 and the 29th day of May 2007 conspired together with Christine Omatie Ibori-Ibie, Adebimpe Folayinmi Pogoson and Udoamaka Onuigbo (also known as Okoronkwo) and others to defraud the Delta State Government, Nigeria, by dishonestly, among other matters, (i) being a party to an inflated price fraud in respect of the contract for the building of a sports track for the Delta State Government at the Oghara Stadium; (ii) being a party to the provision of an inflated invoice fraud in respect of the supply of vehicles to the Delta State Government; (iii) being a party to working for the private interests of Mr Onanefe Ibori whilst he was the Governor of Delta State whilst being paid by the Delta State Government. CHARGE TWO Conspiracy to commit money laundering under section 93C(1) of the Criminal Justice Act 1988, contrary to section 1(1) of the Criminal Law Act James Onanefe Ibori between the 1st day of May 1999 and the 24th day of March 2003 conspired together with, Christine Omatie Ibori-Ibie, Adebimpe Folayinmi Pogoson Udoamaka Onuigbo (also known as Okoronkwo) and others to (i) conceal or disguise property which was, or in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, represented their proceeds of criminal conduct; or (ii) convert or transfer that property or remove it from the jurisdiction, for the purposes of avoiding prosecution for an offence to which Part Six of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 applies. CHARGE THREE Money laundering, contrary to section 93C(1) of the Criminal Justice Act James Onanefe Ibori between the 1st day of May 1999 and the 24th day of March 2003 together with Christine Omatie Ibori-Ibie, Adebimpe Folayinmi Pogoson, Udoamaka Onuigbo (also known as Okoronkwo) and others: (i) concealed or disguised property which was, or in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, represented their proceeds of criminal conduct; or (ii) converted or transferred that property or removed it from the jurisdiction; for the purpose of avoiding prosecution for an offence to which Part Six of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 applies. CHARGE FOUR Conspiracy to commit money laundering under section 327 of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, contrary to section 1(1) of

3 Page 3 of 8 the Criminal Law Act James Onanefe Ibori) between the 23rd day of March 2003 and the 30th day of May 2007 conspired together with, Udoamaka Onuigbo (also known as Okoronkwo), Christine Omatie Ibori-Ibie, Adebimpe Folayinmi Pogoson and others to conceal, disguise, convert, transfer, or remove criminal property from the jurisdiction, knowing or suspecting that the property constituted his benefit from criminal conduct, or it represented such a benefit in whole or in part and whether directly or indirectly. CHARGE FIVE. James Onanefe Ibori between the 23rd day of March 2003 and the 30th day of May 2007 together with Udoamaka Onuigbo (also known as Okoronkwo), Christine Omatie Ibori-Ibie, Adebimpe Folayinmi Pogoson, and others, concealed, disguised, converted transferred, or removed criminal property from the jurisdiction knowing or suspecting that the property constituted his benefit from criminal conduct, or that it represented such a benefit in whole or in part, and whether directly or indirectly. CHARGE SIX Money laundering, contrary to section 328 of the Proceeds of Crime Act James Onanefe Ibori between the 23rd day of March 2003 and the 30th day of May 2007 together with Udoamaka Onuigbo (also known as Okoronkwo), Christine Omatie Ibori-Ibie, Adebimpe Folayinmi Pogoson, and others, entered into or became concerned in an arrangement, which he knew or suspected facilitated, by whatever means, the acquisition, retention, use or control of criminal property by or on behalf of himself, James Onanefe Ibori. CHARGE SEVEN Money laundering, contrary to section 93C(1) of the Criminal Justice Act James Onanefe Ibori between the 1st day of January 2001 and the 31st day of December 2001 together with Theresa Nkoyo Ibori and others concealed or disguised property, namely a quantity of cash which was the proceeds of criminal conduct, or in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, represented the proceeds of criminal conduct by means of converting or transferring that cash into real property known as 7 Westover Hill, Hampstead, NW3 7VH for the purpose of avoiding prosecution for an offence to which Part Six of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 applies. CHARGE EIGHT

4 Page 4 of 8 James Onanefe Ibori between the 23rd day of March 2003 and the 31st day of December 2004, together with Theresa Nkoyo Ibori, Udoamaka Onuigbo (also known as Okoronkwo) and others concealed and disguised criminal property namely a quantity of cash by converting it into real property, namely Flat 36, Hunter Lodge, Admiral s Walk, Harrow, London W9 3TQ knowing or suspecting that the property constituted his benefit from criminal conduct, or that it represented such a benefit in whole or in part, and whether directly or indirectly. CHARGE NINE Money laundering, contrary to section 328 of the Proceeds of Crime Act James Onanefe Ibori between the 1st day of April 2005 and the 28th day of February 2007, together with Theresa Nkoyo Ibori, Bhadresh Babulal Gohil and others, entered into or became involved in an arrangement, namely using a client account of Arlingtons Sharmas Solicitors as the personal bank account of James Onanefe Ibori and Theresa Ibori, which they knew or suspected facilitated (by whatever means) the acquisition, retention, use or control of criminal property. CHARGE TEN.. James Onanefe Ibori between the 1st day of April 2005 and the 28th day of February 2007, together with Theresa Nkoyo Ibori, Bhadresh Babulal Gohil and others, concealed, disguised, converted transferred, or removed criminal property from the jurisdiction by using a client account of Arlingtons Sharmas solicitors as the personal bank account of James and Theresa Ibori, knowing or suspecting that the property constituted his benefit from criminal conduct, or that it represented such a benefit in whole or in part, and whether directly or indirectly CHARGE ELEVEN James Onanefe Ibori between the 1st day of April 2005 and the 30th day of August 2005 together with Theresa Nkoyo Ibori, Udoamaka Onuigbo (also known as Okoronkwo), Bhadresh Babulal Gohil and others concealed and disguised criminal property namely a quantity of cash by converting it into real property, namely 42, Great Ground, Shaftesbury, Dorset SP7 8FF, knowing or suspecting that the property constituted his benefit from criminal conduct, or that it represented such a benefit in whole or in part, and whether directly or indirectly. CHARGE TWELVE MONEY LAUNDERING, contrary to section 328 of the Proceeds of Crime Act James Onanefe Ibori between the 1st day of April 2005 and the 1st day of December 2007, on an occasion other than in Charge 9, together with Bhadresh Babulal Gohil and others, entered into or became involved in an arrangement, namely an attempt to purchase a Challenger Jet aircraft from Bombadier Inc., which he knew or suspected facilitated (by whatever means) the acquisition, retention, use or control of criminal property by or on behalf of himself, James Onanefe Ibori.

5 Page 5 of 8 CHARGE THIRTEEN MONEY LAUNDERING, contrary to section 327 of the Proceeds of Crime Act James Onanefe Ibori between the 1st day of April 2005 and the 1st day of December 2007, on an occasion other than in Charge 10, together with Bhadresh Babulal Gohil and others, concealed, disguised, converted transferred, or removed criminal property from the jurisdiction in an attempt to purchase a Challenger Jet aircraft from Bombadier Inc., knowing or suspecting that the property constituted his benefit from criminal conduct, or that it represented such a benefit in whole or in part, and whether directly or indirectly. CHARGE FOURTEEN MONEY LAUNDERING, contrary to section 328 of the Proceeds of Crime Act James Onanefe Ibori between the 1st day of May 2003 and the 31st day of December 2005, on an occasion other than in Charge 6, together with Udoamaka Onuigbo (also known as Okoronkwo) and others, entered into or became involved in an arrangement, namely the management of corporate vehicles known as the Zircon Trust and Zeta Ltd, which he knew or suspected facilitated by whatever means the acquisition, retention, use or control of criminal property by or on behalf of himself, James Onanefe Ibori. CHARGE FIFTEEN, MONEY LAUNDERING, contrary to section 327 of the Proceeds of Crime Act James Onanefe Ibori between the 1st day of May 2003 and the 31st day of December 2005, on an occasion other than in Charge 5, together with Udoamaka Onuigbo (also known as Okoronkwo) and others, concealed, disguised, converted transferred, or removed criminal property from the jurisdiction through the use of corporate vehicles known as the Zircon Trust and Zeta Ltd, knowing or suspecting that the property constituted his benefit from criminal conduct, or that it represented such a benefit in whole or in part, and whether directly or indirectly. CHARGE SIXTEEN Conspiracy to Defraud, Contrary to Common Law. James Onanefe Ibori between the 1st day of September 2005 and the 1st day of January 2007 conspired together and with Bhadresh Babulal Gohil, Lambertus De Boer, Daniel Benedict McCann, Victor Attah, David Edevbie, Love Ojakovo, Professor Akpan Ekpo and others to defraud states within the Federation of Nigeria, namely Delta State and Akwa Ibom State, of sums representing part of the sale price resulting from the sale of shares owned by the said states in Vee Networks (Nigeria) Limited (trading as V Mobile) to Celtel (Nigeria) BV, and held in the names of their respective authorised ministries or agencies the said sums being paid to a company named African Development Finance Limited or its predecessors under an Exclusive Arranger Agreement to a total invoiced value in excess of $37,000,000 United States. CHARGE SEVENTEEN

6 Page 6 of 8 Conspiracy to make false instruments contrary to section 1(1)(a) of the Criminal Law Act James Onanefe Ibori between the 1st day of September 2005 and the 1st day of July 2006 conspired together and with Bhadresh Babulal Gohil, Lambertus De Boer, Daniel Benedict McCann, Professor Akpan Ekpo, James Onanefe Ibori, David Edevbie, Love Ojakovo and others to make false instruments, namely letters and other documents which purported to be made on dates or otherwise in circumstances in which they were not made, in relation to alleged services provided by African Development Finance Limited or its predecessors in relation to the sale of shares by Delta State in Vee Networks (Nigeria) Limited (trading as V Mobile), with the intention that they or another should use the said letters and documents to induce somebody to accept them as genuine and by reason of so accepting to do, or not to do, some act to his own prejudice or that of any other person. CHARGE EIGHTEEN Money laundering, contrary to section 328 of the Proceeds of Crime Act James Onanefe Ibori together with Bhadresh Babulal Gohil, Lambertus De Boer, Daniel Benedict McCann between the 15th day of April 2006 and the 9th day of September 2009 entered into or became concerned in an arrangement which they knew or suspected facilitated (by whatever means) the acquisition, retention, use or control of criminal property by or on behalf of another person or persons, namely the use of the company African Development Finance Limited or its predecessors as a front to receive and launder on behalf of another person sums paid to it under the terms of an Exclusive Arranger Agreement, up to an invoiced total in excess of $37,000,000 United States dollars, in relation to the sale of shares owned by Delta State and Akwa Ibom State in Vee Networks (Nigeria) Limited to Celtel (Nigeria) BV on or after the 15th April CHARGE NINETEEN James Onanefe Ibori, between the 15th day of April 2006 and the 9th day of September 2009, together with Bhadresh Babulal Gohil, Lambertus De Boer, Daniel Benedict McCann, Victor Attah, Henry Imasekha and others concealed, disguised, converted and transferred criminal property, using the company African Development Finance Limited or its predecessors as a front or vehicle, knowing or suspecting that that sum constituted the benefit from criminal conduct of himself and / or another person, or that it represented such benefit in whole or in part and whether directly or indirectly. CHARGE TWENTY James Onanefe Ibori on or about the 22nd day of June 2006 together with Bhadresh Babulal Gohil, Lambertus De Boer, Daniel Benedict McCann, Victor Attah, Henry Imasekha and others concealed, disguised, converted and transferred criminal property, namely the sum of $11,400,000 United States dollars being a purported loan from African Development Finance Limited or its predecessors to a company named Brookes Aviation Limited, they knowing or suspecting that that sum constituted the benefit from criminal conduct himself and / or another person, or that it represented such benefit in whole or in part and whether directly or indirectly.

7 Page 7 of 8 CHARGE TWENTY-ONE James Onanefe Ibori on or about the 19th day of September 2006 together with Bhadresh Babulal Gohil, Lambertus De Boer, Daniel Benedict McCann, Victor Attah, Henry Imasekha and others concealed, disguised, converted and transferred criminal property, namely the sum of $3,780,000 United States dollars being a purported loan from African Development Finance Limited to a company named FE Samuels, they knowing or suspecting that that sum constituted the benefit from criminal conduct of himself and / or another person, or that it represented such benefit in whole or in part and whether directly or indirectly. CHARGE TWENTY-TWO James Onanefe Ibori on or about the 18th day of December 2006 together with Bhadresh Babulal Gohil, Lambertus De Boer, Daniel Benedict McCann, Victor Attah, Henry Imasekha and others concealed, disguised, converted and transferred criminal property, namely the sum of $10,000,000 United States dollars being a purported loan from African Development Finance Limited to a company named Ascot Offshore (Nigeria) Limited, they knowing or suspecting that that sum constituted the benefit from criminal conduct of himself and / or another person, or that it represented such benefit in whole or in part and whether directly or indirectly. CHARGE TWENY-THREE James Onanefe Ibori on or about the 4th day of January 2007 together with Bhadresh Babulal Gohil, Lambertus De Boer, Daniel Benedict McCann, Victor Attah, Henry Imasekha and others concealed, disguised, converted and transferred criminal property, namely the sum of $790,000 United States dollars being a purported loan from African Development Finance Limited to a company named Clanbrassil Nominees Limited, they knowing or suspecting that that sum constituted the benefit from criminal conduct of himself and / or another person, or that it represented such benefit in whole or in part and whether directly or indirectly. CHARGE TWENTY-FOUR Attempting to commit money laundering, contrary to section 1(1) of the Criminal Attempts Act 1981 James Onanefe Ibori between the 15th April 2006 and the 9th September 2009 together with Bhadresh Babulal Gohil, Lambertus De Boer, Daniel Benedict McCann and others attempted to conceal, disguise, convert, transfer or remove criminal property by means of the sale of the assets of the company African Development Finance Limited or its predecessors to another company vehicle, on terms which would represent a gross undervaluation of those assets to a legitimate company. CHARGE TWENTY-FIVE

8 Page 8 of 8 Statement of offence. Obtaining a property transfer by deception, contrary to section 15A of the Theft Act Particulars of offence. James Onanefe Ibori, on or about the 4th day of February 1999 dishonestly obtained for himself or another a money transfer from SunBank Mortgages PLC in the sum of 157,500 being a loan by way of mortgage in respect of the property known as Flat 23, 20 Abbey Road, St John s Wood, London NW8 by deception, namely by making false representations, among others, that: (i) His date of birth was 4 August 1958; (ii) He was self employed at Diat Newspapers, 61, Queen Street, Jabo, Yaba, Lagos Nigeria, established there for 10 years; (iii) (iv) He had not had any County Court judgments entered against him; and He had not failed to keep up with payments on mortgages, rent or loan agreements. Source URL: