Below is the step by step Sentencing Live Updates at the Southwark Crown Court in London
LIVE UPDATES:..........................
15:20: James Ibori gets 13 years in prison
14:39: The Judge says that sentencing Ibori will not be the end of the matter as his property will be confiscated, and there will be serious consequences if that process runs into problems.
14:34: The accused has been brought back into the court by security.
14:25: The court just reopened to let the Press and lawyers in.
12:30: Court goes on break. Sentence to be read out at 1430hrs UK time.
12:27: Fashanu tells the court that Ibori built the first shooting range in Nigeria
12:21: Fashanu just told the court that Ibori built 9 mini sports stadia and three Olympic sized stadia in Delta state.
12:19: Ibori's lawyer has just called on John Fashanu to the stand to talk about the influence of the Oghara Stadium on youth development in Delta state. Fashanu takes the stand.
12:12: Mr. Pernell, in his conclusion, asks the Judge to consider the pressure that his client has been under since investigatons began in 2005, and also the accused's children who now have both their parents in custody before passing his sentence.
12:01: Ibori's lawyer credits his client with every development in Nigeria, and especially in Delta state, from the banking reforms, to peace in the Niger Delta, education, and building of low-cost housing.
11:53: The defendant looks worried by his counsel's arguments as he is frowning and talking animatedly to other lawyers on his defence team, scribbling notes and gesturing with his fore finger. A huge difference from his disposition yesterday.
11:40: Ibori's lawyer says that his client played a part in supporting British industry even before he became governor. As evidence, he cites a letter from British Airways, thanking Ibori for restoring direct flights between Nigeria and Britain.
11:28: Ibori's counsel blames his former lawyer, Gohil and former Akwa Ibom state governor, Victor Attah, for the V-Mobile scam. Says they were the architects of the fraud.
11:20: The defendant, James Onanefe Ibori has been brought into court for sentencing.
11:05: Court in session, those in attendance asked to switch off their phones.
10:24: John Fashanu, ex-footballer, and friend of Ibori arrives in court for the sentencing.
09:58: The court sitting for day two, which should include the final sentencing will begin in about an hour.
16:00 (Day 1): Judge tells Ibori's Counsel that he has not been called upon to make a judgment of Ibori's achievements as governor as argued by his counsel but to make a judgment on the charges of corruption against him. Case has been adjourned to tomorrow for the actual sentencing.
15:48 (Day 1): In an attempt to secure a lenient sentencing for Ibori, his has lawyer just told the Crown Court that he was instrumental in securing the release of hostages in the Niger-Delta.
15:35 (Day 1): Pernell is making a case for lenient sentencing for Ibori.
15:16 (Day 1): Mr. Pernell blames the Nigerian military for creating the conditions that lured Ibori into corruption.
15:11 (Day 1): Ibori's defence counsel, Nicholas Pernell, has just agreed with the prosecution that the V-Mobile and Bombardaire scames amounted to US$50million.
15:04 (Day 1): The prosecution announces that there was no plea bargain, and that James Ibori voluntarily pleaded guilty to all charges brought against him.
14:44 (Day 1): Prosecutor is concluding her summation with a chronology of the Ibori investigation.
14:32 (Day 1): Prosecutor explains that Ibori and Victor Attah (former Akwa Ibom governor) formed a phantom company called ADF to siphon US$37.5million from Delta and Akwa Ibom states' shares in V-Mobile.
14:30 (Day 1): Court resumes from recess.
12:30 (Day 1): The court goes on recess. When they resume, the prosecutor will describe Ibori's involvement in V-Mobile fraud.
12:15 (Day 1): Judge describes Ibori's several frauds as "sensational".
11:49 (Day 1): The Prosecutor lists Ibori's bank accounts as 6 in Barclay's, 2 in Citi Bank and several in the Channel Islands. She also says that Ibori had made his 4-month old son a director in one of his companies, a company used as a conduit to launder stolen money.
11:23 (Day 1): The Prosecutor is going through a reading of all the crimes Ibori has committed since 1991, both in Nigeria and in the UK. "He is a common thief," she says.
11:19 (Day 1): The Judge has come in, and the Prosecutor is speaking. "The amount James Ibori stole is unquantified."
11:11 (Day 1): James Ibori, wearing a black suit and a gold watch has just been brought into the court. He smiles and makes a friendly gesture towards his family members.
10:58 (Day 1): Sentencing to take two days. The Metropolitan Police clear the crowd of Ibori supporters from the court entrance.
10:32 (Day 1): The crowd is harassing an official of the Nigerian High Commission just outside the court.
10:18 (Day 1): Large crowd of Ibori supporters gathered outside the court. Reporters are having a difficult time gaining access.
Source : Dailytimes
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