James Ibori Calls His UK Jail Term A Sabbatical Leave
Former Delta State Governor, James Ibori, has described his jail term in the United Kingdom as a sabbatical leave.
Ibori, who was sentenced in 2012 to 13 years in jail by UK`s Southwark Crown Court for money laundering, was however released in 2016 after spending about 4 years behind bars.
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The former governor, speaking earlier at an event organised in his honour in Ovwor-Olomu, Ughelli South local government, said he only went to the UK on sabbaticals.
At the reception attended by Uche Secondus, Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ibori said:
“Traditional rulers, members of the national assembly, distinguished senators, members of the house of reps, the chairman of this occasion… please distinguished ladies and gentlemen, youths and women; permit me to stand on existing protocols.
“My first appreciation is to God Almighty, first for bringing me back home safely. It’s been a year since I returned from my sabbatical leave in the UK.
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“I thank you, once again, for this. As I always say, there will be time for me to speak, today is just to thank you,” he said.
