FORMER Governor of Delta State, Chief James Onanefe Ibori, who was arrested in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Wednesday, was, cording to reports, arraigned in a Dubai court yesterday morning and subsequently granted bail.
Media Assistant to the former Governor, Tony Elumunor, in a statement, subsequently gave a graphic account of how Ibori was arrested and how he was placed on bail.

Meantime, UK’s Scotland Yard, yesterday, in an email said: “A 47-year old man has been arrested today, Thursday, 13 May, by authorities in Dubai on suspicion of money laundering and conspiracy to defraud.”

However, the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mrs. Farida Waziri, said that the anti-graft agency had sent operatives to Dubai to help extradite the former Governor.

At Oghara, the country home of the former governor, the situation was calm despite news of his arrest in Dubai.

My arrest story — Ibori

A statement signed by the former Governor’s media assistant, Tony Elumunor, gave his account of the arrest in Dubai as follows: “Chief James Onanefe Ibori walked out of a Dubai court this morning (yesterday) on bail, after having been arrested on Wednesday. He was in a hotel room by 9.00 p.m., Wednesday, when some agents walked into his room, introduced themselves as acting on behalf of Interpol, saying he was wanted in London.
“When Ibori asked why he was wanted in London, they said over credit card fraud. When Ibori replied that he had not been to London since 2005, they modified the reason and said he was wanted for theft. So Ibori said that as they were not sure of the charge, he would not go with them to London. So they took him to a Police station instead.

“The following day, Thursday, 13 May, he was taken to court where he was granted bail, and he was allowed to go free.

“He has asked his supporters, aides, friends and political associates not to be unduly bothered about the ordeal he is going through as the rule of law is always there to protect any victim of persecution – as I am presently being persecuted owing to my political belief.

“He has also accused his political enemies in Nigeria and their United Kingdom co-conspirators of declaring him wanted over charges that have not yet been made public just to influence the outcome of the case against some of his associates in a London court.

“That case has gone on for months, and is on its final stretch now and judgment should be given within days. The Prosecution has since closed its case while the defence will make their closing statement on Friday, 14 May. That is why both the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and their London Metropolitan Police collaborators have renewed their malicious legal battering against me for no reason whatsoever.

“It is on record that up till this moment, both agencies have not been able to categorically state the charges they have against me – whether individually or collectively.”

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