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Court boosts Nigeria VP ambitions Block on Nigerian VP's ambitions
(1 day later)
Legal moves investigating corruption allegations against Nigerian Vice-President Atiku Abubakar have been quashed by the High Court in Lagos. Nigeria's anti-corruption agency has appealed against a decision by a Lagos High Court to quash legal moves against Vice-President Atiku Abubakar.
The court ruled that two reports on Mr Abubakar had no legal foundation. The anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, says the court lacked jurisdiction on the issue. The decision of the court had temporarily freed the embattled vice president from the legal hurdles that threatened his presidential ambition.
A spokesman for Mr Abubakar said the vice-president was now free to stand as a presidential candidate in next year's general elections. Nigeria's presidency advised Mr Abubakar to suspend his victory dance.
The investigations are seen as part of a bitter row between Mr Abubakar and President Olusegun Obasanjo.The investigations are seen as part of a bitter row between Mr Abubakar and President Olusegun Obasanjo.
The two reports were by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission accusing him of fraud, and a second by a panel of Nigerian ministers seek the vice-president's indictment on corruption charges.The two reports were by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission accusing him of fraud, and a second by a panel of Nigerian ministers seek the vice-president's indictment on corruption charges.
"The ruling means that the EFCC report and the administrative report never existed in law, so the VP is free from any legal limitation to his presidential aspiration," said Adeolu Akande, a spokesman for Mr Abubakar
Mr Abubakar ended months of speculation earlier this week, by announcing he will stand for the presidency.Mr Abubakar ended months of speculation earlier this week, by announcing he will stand for the presidency.
However, Mr Abubakar did not tell the political rally in the capital, Abuja, what party he would be representing.However, Mr Abubakar did not tell the political rally in the capital, Abuja, what party he would be representing.
His candidacy is strongly opposed by President Obasanjo and his governing People's Democratic Party.His candidacy is strongly opposed by President Obasanjo and his governing People's Democratic Party.
Mr Abubakar fell out with Mr Obasanjo over the president's plan to amend the constitution and run for a third term.Mr Abubakar fell out with Mr Obasanjo over the president's plan to amend the constitution and run for a third term.
The vice-president was suspended from the party earlier this year and denies allegations he diverted $125m into personal business interests.The vice-president was suspended from the party earlier this year and denies allegations he diverted $125m into personal business interests.