London money laundering trial: Theresa Ibori breaks down

London money laundering trial: Theresa Ibori breaks down

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Written by Wednesday, 03 November 2010

IT was a dramatic and highly emotional day at a court in London, as Theresa Nkoyo Ibori, the estranged wife of former Governor James Ibori of Delta State, took him to the cleaners in her first day on the witness stand at her trial alongside Ibori’s London lawyer, Bhadresh Gohil.
According to Sahara Reporters, Mrs Ibori was brought before Judge Rivlin at 10.30 a.m. at the Southwark Crown Court in London. Looking subdued, the former Delta State first lady was called to the witness stand to testify on a seven-count charge of money-laundering preferred against her and Mr Gohil, Ibori’s UK-based lawyer.
After swearing on the Holy Bible, Mrs Ibori gave her personal information and background information before she was grilled on the source of her husband’s wealth. She repeated the often mouthed answer that Ibori got wealthy long before he became governor of Delta State. She claimed that her husband’s wealth came from contracts and consultancy jobs he did in Lagos State and for the late General Sani Abacha regime.
As the proceedings continued, however, Mrs Ibori testified that she had been married to a man of many secrets, stating that she knew absolutely nothing about her husband’s secrets until the money-laundering trial began in London. She said she knew of some of her husband’s past legal troubles, but also testified that she did not know about some of his alleged crimes until her own prosecution began.
Prosecutors asked questions regarding her relationship with Chief Ibori, focusing on his numerous extra-marital affairs with several “big girls” in Nigeria.