Fugitive Ibori's move to get assylum in Dubai may fail
James Ibori
Feelers from Dubai, the UAE capital indicate that moves by fugitive James Ibori to seek political asylum in that Dubai, the UAE capital may have failed .
It was learnt that the move to plead political persecution may not fly considering the fact that it would be difficult to prove the British have political motives.
Pointblanknews.com learnt that cronies of the ex Governor wanted for several corruption charges and allegations in Nigeria and the UK, made the move early this week.
The treaty between the UAE and the UK prohibits extradition for any case that borders on political persecution. But even though Nigeria has no extradition treaty with UAE, stopping the MET Police would be difficult, as persecution plea would fail.
Pointblanknews.com sources maintained that despite the pressure from his cronies, it would be difficult to convince the court in Dubai that he is being politically persecuted in the UK
It was however learnt that Ibori's loyalists who arrived in Dubai with documents alleging political persecution against him, may have an uphill task convincing the Dubai authorities that he is being politically persecuted in Nigeria and the UK
A Presidency source said that the development might provoke a diplomatic row between Nigeria and the UAE, following fears that the Arab country might grant the request.
It was also learnt that the development had stalled the filing of the necessary papers for the extradition of the ex-governor to the UK
The London Metropolitan Police had since 2005 been trailing Ibori over money laundering for which some of his associates and family members are undergoing trial in the UK.
The move by Ibori's loyalists was also said to have put paid to efforts by the Met. police and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to try Ibori in Dubai.
The London Metropolitan Police had since 2005 been trailing Ibori over money laundering for which some of his associates and family members are undergoing trial in the UK.
The move by Ibori's loyalists was also said to have put paid to efforts by the Met. police and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to try Ibori in Dubai.