Ibori: We want a fresh trial — Prosecution

The confiscation hearing against the former governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori, reopened yesterday at a London Crown Court with the British Crown Prosecution lead counsel, Sasha Wass, calling for the re-trial of the entire case.

Wass informed the court that the crown prosecution would be seeking a total re-trial of the case which ended in December when Judge Anthony Pitts asked for more evidence to enable him make an appropriate decision.

Ibori’s lead counsel, Mr. Ivan Krolic QC, however, objected to the prosecution’s request to start the case afresh, saying, “that is the position of the Crown Prosecution which we don’t accept. The function of the court in confiscation hearing is to consider which individual has benefitted from proceeds of crime and to what amount.”

The points of law, Krolic said, “Your Honour has no jurisdiction to abort the earlier proceeding; we say the court should not continue to act where it has no jurisdiction.”