The Human Rights Watch (HRW) has described the conviction of former governor of Delta State, James Ibori? in a London court as a landmark in the global fight against corruption.
A statement by Mr Daniel Bekele, Africa Director at HRW in Lagos, said Ibori was one of Nigeria’s enduring symbols of criminality and impunity.
Ibori was on Tuesday convicted and sentenced to 13 years imprisonment by a London court after he pleaded guilty to seven counts charge of money laundering of about 50 million pounds.
?“The world has just got smaller for government officials, who believe they can loot their country’s resources with impunity.
“By prosecuting Ibori, the UK authorities have struck a blow, not only against financial crimes at home, but also against impunity for corruption around the globe.
“This case is not just about financial transactions in British banks, but about acknowledging global responsibility for helping to stop the devastating human cost of corruption in Nigeria,” HRW observed.
It noted that Ibori was one of Nigeria’s most powerful and wealthy politicians from the oil-rich Niger Delta, whose eight years administration received billions of dollars in oil revenue but with little to show for it.
“The state’s public schools crumbled, while primary health clinics remained dilapidated and lacked basic supplies and medicines,” the HRW said. (NAN)