''Grant Ibori unconditional pardon now'' Urhobo leaders urge President Buhari

Elders in Delta state under the audspices of the ''The Leaders of Thought, ULoTin Delta State'' have appealed to President Buhari, to grant unconditional pardon to a former governor of the state, James Ibori.


Ibori who was governor of the state between 1999-2007,  pleaded guilty in a London court in 2012 to a 10-count charge of fraud and money-laundering, involving sums amounting to at least 50 million pounds ($66 million). He received a 13-year jail sentence of which he served half, as is common in the British system. He was released from prison in February 2017.

In a statement released by its general secretary, Alhaji Mumakai- Unagha, the Urhobo elders said Ibori has paid for his sins and should be granted pardon.

“The former governor, though has paid for the sin committed or not committed, we plead that he should be granted pardon.
Chief Ibori is the gateway to the economic, political and social development of Delta state. Therefore, he deserves to be freed to once again be party to the social and new movement in Nigeria.
Since the former governor left the state over 12 years ago, no government had thrived like his. Therefore, ULoT, with all sincerity of purpose, pleads with the Federal Government to please grant him pardon,  as he is an asset whose experience/ contribution will strengthen the polity of Delta state,” the group's statement read