British detective arrested over Nigerian fraudster case

A Scotland Yard anti-corruption detective and three former officers have been freed on bail after being arrested in connection with suspected bribery involving a convicted Nigerian fraudster.

The 45-year-old detective constable in the elite unit was questioned on Wednesday on suspicion of providing information about fraudster James Ibori, a former Nigerian state governor, in return for cash payments.

Two private investigators and another man — all former officers with London’s Metropolitan Police — were held in connection with providing the money after raids at the offices of a private investigation company.

All four men were freed late Wednesday pending further inquiries.

The company, Risc Management, is believed to have worked for Ibori when he was being investigated by the force on suspicion of fraud.

But the Met has also confirmed that it has worked with the company in the past.

Ibori, who was governor of Nigeria’s oil-rich Delta State from 1999 to 2007, was jailed in April for 13 years for fraud totalling nearly £50 million ($78.5 million, 62 million euros).

Before becoming governor, Ibori worked as a cashier at a home improvement store in London.

A Met statement said: “The Metropolitan Police Service is investigating an allegation that illegal payments were made to police officers for information by a private investigation agency.”