IBORI TO FINISH PRISON TERM IN UK TO AVOID PRESIDENTIAL PARDON SCANDAL

Highly placed sources in the United Kingdom's High Commission in Abuja
have revealed that imprisoned former Governor of Delta State, James
Ibori will serve out his remaining sentence in British custody. The
source said part of the rationale of British authority to compel Ibori
to serve out his sentence in the UK is to prevent a presidential
pardon type scandal which is speculated to occur if the former
Governor is transferred to Nigeria under a bi-lateral agreement
between the two nations.
The Source said, "We are not planning to allow Ibori be a beneficiary
of the exchange policy, it is not targeted at him. Our laws are very
strong on money laundering; the exchange programme does not cover such
people like Ibori.
"So, he will complete his prison terms in the UK as part of our own
contribution to your anti-corruption agenda.
"If he is brought to Nigeria, we are not sure if he would not be
pardoned as a result of pressure from some people."
The source also revealed that the Nigerian authorities ahd not
requested for Ibori to be returned to Nigeria.
"The Nigerian government has not made any request for the repatriation
of Ibori home to complete his jail terms."
Nigerian government officials are reportedly not keen on pushing for
any pardon for Ibori in order to serve as a deterrent to other corrupt
public office holders in the country.