Bhadresh Gohil, a corrupt London lawyer of Indian origin, has been ordered by a judge to hand over more than £28 million to law enforcers for his involvement in a large scam orchestrated by a Nigerian politician, James Ibori.
Gohil, who had served a ten-year prison sentence for his criminal activities, used his wealth to acquire multiple properties and investments, including a £3.25 million home in Chelsea and two properties worth £1 million in India.
The court has issued a confiscation order for £28.19 million, and Gohil will have to surrender all his assets or face another six years in prison. Anti-corruption campaigners see this as a significant victory in preventing corrupt professionals from aiding organized crime.
James Ibori, the former Wickes cashier turned Nigerian state governor, was also involved in the scam and has been sentenced to prison, with a confiscation order of £101 million against him.
The Crown Prosecution Service and the National Crime Agency have expressed their satisfaction after years of legal battles to achieve these repayment orders, aiming to return the funds to Nigeria for public services. The investigation revealed the fraudulent sale and purchase of shares, resulting in the theft of substantial amounts of money.
