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Nigeria ex-governor halts probe | Nigeria ex-governor halts probe |
(20 minutes later) | |
A former governor of an oil rich Nigerian state has won immunity from investigation by anti-graft agencies. | A former governor of an oil rich Nigerian state has won immunity from investigation by anti-graft agencies. |
Former Rivers state governor Peter Odili cannot be investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, a court has ruled. | Former Rivers state governor Peter Odili cannot be investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, a court has ruled. |
In a case last year, the Port Harcourt court barred the federal agency from investigating state finances. The injunction now includes Mr Odili. | |
Mr Odili who denies corruption, has long been a target of the EFCC. | Mr Odili who denies corruption, has long been a target of the EFCC. |
State vs Federal | State vs Federal |
Just before he lost his official immunity from prosecution when he left office in May last year, Mr Odili secured an injunction preventing the EFCC from investigating the state's finances. | Just before he lost his official immunity from prosecution when he left office in May last year, Mr Odili secured an injunction preventing the EFCC from investigating the state's finances. |
He argued the Federal Government had no legal right to the state records. | He argued the Federal Government had no legal right to the state records. |
The EFCC appealed against the injunction and it has yet to come to court. | The EFCC appealed against the injunction and it has yet to come to court. |
But the EFCC also launched a fresh investigation into Mr Odili, saying he had not been part of the original inquiry. | But the EFCC also launched a fresh investigation into Mr Odili, saying he had not been part of the original inquiry. |
But a judge said the injunction remains valid until a higher court rules otherwise. | But a judge said the injunction remains valid until a higher court rules otherwise. |
The EFCC has said it will appeal the decision. | The EFCC has said it will appeal the decision. |
Anti-corruption campaigners say the ruling has no basis in law. | Anti-corruption campaigners say the ruling has no basis in law. |
The BBC's Alex Last in Lagos says Rivers State is, on paper, the wealthiest region in the country with an annual budget of $1.3bn. | The BBC's Alex Last in Lagos says Rivers State is, on paper, the wealthiest region in the country with an annual budget of $1.3bn. |
But it has seen few improvements made in recent years despite its oil-wealth. | But it has seen few improvements made in recent years despite its oil-wealth. |
Our correspondent says President Umar Yar'Adua has promised to fight corruption and uphold the rule of law, but this may be a case where one is being used against the other. | Our correspondent says President Umar Yar'Adua has promised to fight corruption and uphold the rule of law, but this may be a case where one is being used against the other. |
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