By Precious Adi
Elias Preko a former Goldman Sachs banker was convicted by a jury at Southwark Crown Court in London on Monday on two counts of money laundring.
He was sentenced to four and a half years in prison for helping former governor of Delta state, James Ibori to launder money.
Mr Preko, was convicted by a British court alongside Mr Iboris wife, mistress, sister and a lawyer for assisting the politician with corruption.
The banker whose lawyer refused to comment has left Goldman Sachs before he committed the offence, so the bank was not accused of any wrongdoing.
Judge Anthony Pitts said that Mr. Preko was ‘actively assisting’ the Nigerian politician. Referring to Mr Preko, Judge Anthony said “you chose to involve yourself with him as a professional man, against the code of upstanding conduct for men in your position” according to Rueters.
The court also heard that Mr. Ibori tried to bribe the head of Nigerians anti-corruption agency with $15m in cash using a bag so full of money that two people were needed to carry it but he was unsuccessful.Former Governor Ibori is presently serving 13 years in a British jail after pleading guilty last year to fraud and money laundry offences
