James Ibori

(asked on 13th October 2023) - View Source

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the Framework for transparent and accountable asset return, published in January 2022, what steps her Department is taking to (a) send the money confiscated from former Nigerian governor James Ibori and his associates in July 2023 to the Delta State government within the shortest reasonable timeframe, (b) ensure that all information on the (i) transfer and (ii) administration of returned assets is published and available in both the (A) transferring and (B) receiving countries and (c) ensure that civil society organisations in the UK are able to (1) monitor the use of the funds and (2) hold the government to account.


Answered by
Tom Tugendhat Portrait
Tom Tugendhat
Minister of State (Home Office) (Security)
This question was answered on 23rd October 2023

In July 2023, confiscation orders totalling over £129 million were made against James Ibori and Bhadresh Gohil. Once the funds have been realised, we will, in line with our asset return framework, work with the relevant stakeholders, including CSOs, to ensure that these funds are returned via the most appropriate mechanism and in the best interest of both the requested and requesting state.

When returning funds, the UK will always sign a case-specific agreement with the relevant country detailing the steps that the recipient Government will take to ensure the funds are put to their intended use. All agreements which oversee the return of funds abroad are published on gov.uk

The UK is a signatory to the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) and places great importance on the recovery and return of the proceeds of corruption. In January 2022, the UK published its first ever Framework for Transparent and Accountable Asset Return, which applies across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The purpose of the Framework is to ensure consistency, transparency and accountability in the UK’s process for returning assets.

Reticulating Splines