Former governor of Delta State, James Onanefe Ibori was on Saturday morning set free from detention by a court in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates. Mr Ibori, who is facing a deportation request from the London Metropolitan Police for trial in the United Kingdom to face corruption charges, was freed on health grounds. The health of the former governor is said to have deteriorated while in detention and he is said to be suffering from high blood pressure.
A senior government official confirmed the release of Mr Ibori. He however stated that the decision was purely that of the Dubai justice official. The official, who expressed shock at the news, however said the judgement of the Dubai court ‘does not have anything to do with the charges Ibori is facing here.'
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to speak, also said he did not believe Mr Ibori will return to Nigeria from Dubai. There has, however, been wild celebration in Oghara and parts of Delta State, where freedom parties are being arranged in honour of the former governor.
Source: 234next.
