Tuesday, November 23, 2010

http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2010/nov/23/national-23-11-2010-0034.htm

The former First Lady of Delta State, Theresa Ibori has been jailed for five years by a London court.

According to agency report, the London jury in a Southwark Crown Court trial returned their verdict yesterday. James Ibori’s United Kingdom lawyer, Mr. Bhadresh Gohil, who was on trial with Theresa, has been remanded in police custody, awaiting sentencing.

In a previous trial, the court had also sent to prison Ibori’s sister, Christine Ibori-Ibie; and his mistress, Udoamaka Okoronkwo-Onuigbo. James Ibori is awaiting extradition from Saudi to the United Kingdom to face three set of trials relating to money laundering and alleged theft of Delta State resources.

Theresa was arrested on November 1, 2007 at Heathrow Airport in London on charges of money laundering. The much delayed trial of the ex-Governor’s wife commenced at the Southwark Crown Court in London on September 20.

Mr. Gohil is widely involved in the worldwide money laundering affairs of James Ibori, his wife and his associates. First arrested in 2008 but subsequently granted bail, he faces four counts of money laundering.

Shortly after her arrest, agency report quoted Andrew Newman of the Metropolitan Police press office as saying: “At approximately 20.50hrs on November 1 2007, officers from the Proceeds of Corruption Unit arrested a 39-year-old woman at Heathrow airport in connection with an ongoing money laundering enquiry. She remains in custody at a West London police station.”

Reports say Mr Gohil was the first of such professionals to be prosecuted in the UK where lawyers frequently engage in money laundering activities undetected.

Mr. Gohil, whose full name is “Bhadresh Babulal Gohil,” is an English solicitor who was enrolled on March 16 1992. He is the junior partner in the two-partner law firm, Arlingtons Sharmas Solicitors of 6 Arlington Street, St James, London.

According to the firm’s website: “Arlingtons Sharmas Solicitors is a firm focusing on providing personal service to its commercial and private client base in the United Kingdom and internationally including India, Africa and the Middle East.