LONDON, Feb. 28 (UPI) -- A former Nigerian state governor has pleaded guilty to laundering millions of dollars in Nigerian public funds through Britain.
Police had accused James Ibori, the governor of the oil-rich Delta State from 1999-2007, of embezzling $250 million in public funds, The Wall Street Journal reported. Ibori, police said, spent the money on, among other things, mansions, cars, hotels and a private jet.
Ibori, 49, pleaded guilty in Southwark Crown Court in London Monday to 10 charges linked to conspiracy to launder funds from the Delta State as well as to other charges.
He was still in custody awaiting sentencing.
The Metropolitan Police in London said the investigation of Ibori, which began in 2005, marked the first of its kind by the department's Proceeds of Corruption Unit, established about six years ago to investigate alleged corruption by foreign officials.
Ibori was arrested in Dubai in May 2010 at the request of British police, and a request to extradite him was approved by a Dubai court.
In a statement Monday, British police said Ibori had "systematically stole funds from the public purse, secreting them in bank accounts across the world."
He allegedly embezzled the money through inflated state contracts and kickbacks and stole money from state accounts with help from employees, the Journal said.
Six people have been found guilty or pleaded guilty in British court to charges relating to helping Ibori.
