Former Delta State Governor, James Ibori Released From Prison (PHOTOS)

Ibori was accused of laundering more than $200 million from Nigeria’s coffers.

Former Delta State governor, James Onanefe Ibori has been released from prison.

Ibori was released today, December 21, 2016, after being jailed on Tuesday, April 17, 2012 by the Southwark Crown Court.

James Ibori after he was released

He was arrested in Dubai on May 13, 2010, and extradited to the UK in April 2011 after being declared wanted by the UK Metropolitan Police.

He was due for release on Tuesday, having agreed to be deported after serving half of his 13-year sentence.

But it has now emerged that the Home Secretary, Amber Rudd did not intend to deport Ibori to Nigeria until he handed over £18m of "proceeds of crime".

A High Court judge said attempts to detain him were "quite extraordinary".

Ordering Ibori to be immediately freed from prison, Mrs Justice May said: "You don't hold someone just because it is convenient to do so and without plans to deport them."

  
Residents of Asaba, Delta State, who are currently celebrating the release of their former governor, James Ibori, may have to wait till well after January 2017 before they can physically embrace their son.