The Nigeria High Commission in London has explained why it has not visited former Delta State Governor, James Ibori, in prison nearly one year after he was extradited to the UK from Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.
The commission’s head of Consular and Welfare Services, Alhaji Mustafa Aliyu told Daily Trust in London that the UK authorities did not formally notify the commission of Ibori’s detention, nor did Ibori request the commission’s consular assistance in the matter.
He was reacting to criticisms by Mr Ibori’s associates and kinsmen that officials of the embassy did not pay any visit to the former governor, insinuating that the commission was acting on “orders from above”, or did not want to offend “the powers that be in Nigeria.”
He, however, explained that the embassy would only get involved in such matters if it was notified by UK authorities or the detainee requested for consular services, stressing that getting involved without notification or invitation may end up in embarrassment to the embassy or the detainee.
“We cannot intrude or barge into prison to visit a Nigerian in detention. There are laid down procedures which must be met before a consular visit is made”, he said, emphasizing that as a former governor, Ibori was a high profile detainee whose preferences must be respected.
Alhaji Mustafa disclosed that the commission has now applied to Wandsworth Prison to pay a consular visit to Mr Ibori following a request made on his behalf by Ibori’s kinsmen under the auspices of Oghara Clan Union UK.
Daily Trust reports that last week, a member of the Oghara Clan Union, Barrister Harold Maduka accused the High Commission of neglecting Mr Ibori who has been in detention in the UK since April last year, arguing that even if he committed murder, he was still a Nigerian and should be accorded consular visits and services.
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