A London court has ruled that Bhadresh Gohil, a former lawyer of James Ibori, the ex-governor of Nigeria's oil-rich Delta State, must pay approximately 28 million pounds (about $36 million)
for aiding in the concealment of illegally acquired funds.
In 2010, Gohil was found guilty of 13 counts of money laundering and other offenses related to his involvement in helping Ibori hide the proceeds from criminal activities during his tenure as governor from 1999 to 2007.
Following his 2010 sentencing to 10 years in prison, Gohil served half of his term. The recent court order mandates him to pay just over 28 million pounds or face an additional six years in prison, as reported by Britain's Crown Prosecution Office (CPS).
This ruling comes shortly after Ibori, who enriched himself through abuse of power and laundered millions both in the UK and elsewhere, was directed to pay 101.5 million pounds ($130 million) or face an eight-year sentence. Ibori, currently in Nigeria, has stated his intention to appeal the confiscation order.
The confiscation order against Ibori is the second-largest ever made under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 in the UK, while Gohil's is the fifth-largest, according to information obtained from the CPS.
The UK has been known as a major global money-laundering center due to its sophisticated financial and legal services, along with its lucrative property market. However, it is uncommon for foreign kleptocrats attracted to the country to face prosecution, making Ibori's case an exception.
The confiscation process, which has spanned over a decade since Ibori's conviction, has been delayed by lengthy court proceedings and legal disputes in London.
The National Crime Agency (NCA), involved in the case, stated that it demonstrated their determination to pursue criminally acquired assets invested in the UK. The funds seized from Ibori will be repatriated to the Nigerian government and reinvested in public services, according to NCA Branch Commander Suzanne Foster.
In 2021, Britain returned 4.2 million pounds confiscated from Ibori's ex-wife and sister, both of whom had served prison sentences for their involvement in his illicit activities.
Helen Taylor, a senior legal researcher at campaign group Spotlight on Corruption, acknowledged the significance of the court orders in the prolonged legal proceedings. However, she emphasized that enforcement and repatriation of the confiscated assets to Nigeria must be handled transparently and accountably. Photo by Philafrenzy, Wikimedia commons.