Written by Sahara Reporters, New York
Thursday, 26 November.

Associates of James Ibori and friends of his mistress, Udoamaka Okoronkwo, are going to hold a rent-a-crowd demonstration tomorrow at the premises of the Southwark Crown Court in London under the aegis of "Amalgamated Deltans" in the United Kingdom. The event is aimed at portraying Ibori as a victim of the "colonial British" hegemony to persecute Ibori allegedly because of his proposition to have Niger Delta indigenes control their resources.

Each participant in the 'protest' is being paid £100 by the coordinator, who is referred to simply as "Matt".

Regarding the adjournment of the case last week, our reporters have learnt that the case in London was adjourned purely due to the fact that a trial is likely to last for a minimum of six weeks and will run into the Christmas break. A legal expert covering the case for Saharareporters said the case, which was due to begin last week, would have led to an unsatisfactory situation in view of Christmas in the middle. "It was purely a case management decision, reluctantly agreed to by the prosecution as they have always stated that they want to get this trial on as soon as possible, however they also need to be practical and realistic."

Another source also agreed that it would have been difficult to prosecute the case during the Christmas period. The concerns include a jury having all sorts of availability issues leading up to the end of the year, and lawyers also having problems with professional commitments. The source said the prosecution also was considerate that during the Christmas period jury might 'switch off'.

Meanwhile, Saharareporters has confirmed that contrary to our last report, the Southwark Crown Court judge, Christopher Hardy, is not retiring in December 2009. He will continue as the trial judge in the case starting again on February 16, 2010. A pre-trial hearing has been scheduled for January 25, 2010. The preliminary hearing at Southwark Crown Court is aimed at ironing out any issues coming from the Federal High Court, Asaba, proceedings, since it is believed that the Asaba judge may still go ahead to quash the charges against Ibori.

It is expected that if there is a ruling in favour of Ibori in Asaba, his lawyers will try to persuade Judge Hardy that the London trial should not proceed and if Judge Hardy rule on January 25, 2010 that the trial will commence on February 16, 2010, then the defence may appeal his decision so the pretrial hearing would allow all appeals to be cleared prior to February 16 2010.

Also, the second trial involving Ibori's wife, Theresa Nkoyo Ibori, his UK-based lawyer, Bhadresh Gohil may be moved further into 2010 due to the delay in the first trial of three of his first set of women. A hearing has been scheduled for November 30 2009 to iron out the details.

I don't kwn wat Ibori ave done 2 dis online publisher called sahara reporters.They always publish negative things agaist dis man is only God dat will deliver Ibori from sahara reporter hand.

kpokpobita:

I don't kwn wat Ibori ave done 2 dis online publisher called sahara reporters.They always publish negative things agaist dis man is only God dat will deliver Ibori from sahara reporter hand.

Yeh but isnt everything about Ibori full of negativity

Ibori is a mass murderer,just like the rest of nigerian leaders,he is an enemy of men of good will.

Bross no tulk like dat if Ibori be president 2day u no go like na abi tulk ur mind ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh

I guess my husband is not the topic of the day.because i will not hesitate to abuse any boby that will insult my husband.

Hope you not the Senami Sosu that is Ibori`s wife.If you are the one i shame for you by coming out on net to claim Ibori as your husband.But come to think of it you are what number,i belive you should you are number 8 or 7 look for some where and hide your self. please.idoit

kpokpobita:

I don't kwn wat Ibori ave done 2 dis online publisher called sahara reporters.They always publish negative things agaist dis man is only God dat will deliver Ibori from sahara reporter hand.

Hello hired supporter!

Mr Condom(M)
  Hope you are not one of the anti Ibori?bet let me tell you God will deliver my husband from you people hand.

Ms So Call Senami
Are you not a promiscus lady that i saw your picture on net,with only pant and bras pls look for a place and hide your self(Ashawo kubokobo)

I beg make u leave Ibori mater make you no go get hypertention

Na wah oh!.

Na wah oh!. Nigeria I hail thee

kpokpobita:

I beg make u leave Ibori mater make you no go get hypertention

Get lost. . . . .