BY FESTUS AHON
UGHELLI-A Coalition of Activists and Professionals under the aegis of Niger Delta Liberty Initiative, NDLI, Friday  staged a peaceful protest at the premises of Southwark Crown Court, London, calling for the release of Chief James Ibori on humanitarian ground.

The group in an online statement, which was signed by Mr Jaro Egbo said the protest was with the permit of the Metropolitan Police.

According to the statement;”The group believes that the recent hacking scandal involving Rupert Murdoch NewsCorp and the resignation of top police officials suggest that the British government Justice system may not be as perfect as it seems.

“We therefore call on the British authorities to release Chief James Ibori on humanitarian ground to return home to Nigeria as the trial is more or less based on political struggle and rivalry in Nigeria leadership.

“We believe that the Nigerian Government should learn from the Austrialian authorities on how to treat their Nationals as exemplified by the support extended to Murdoch in the hacking incident.

“The Nigerian Government should not lose sight of the territorial implication of hounding their Nationals to foreign jurisdiction under the pretext of fighting corruption.

“The Niger Delta Liberty Initiative (NDLI) will continue to make all necessary sacrifices and provide support within the sphere of the law to ensure that Chief James Ibori who is a victim of high wire politics and conspiracy is released and allowed to return to his home country, Nigeria where he played and will continue to play key role in the stability, peace and political evolution in the Oil rich Niger Delta region in Particular and Nigeria in general.

“We call on all well meaning Nigerians across the globe to join the campaign for the release of James Ibori by the British authority on humanitarian ground.”