This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/6897668.stm
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 2 | Version 3 |
---|---|
Nigerian ex-governors are charged | Nigerian ex-governors are charged |
(10 minutes later) | |
Two Nigerian ex-governors have appeared in court for alleged corruption and money laundering. | Two Nigerian ex-governors have appeared in court for alleged corruption and money laundering. |
Joshua Dariye, who skipped UK bail three years ago, was arrested by the anti-graft agency earlier on Friday. | Joshua Dariye, who skipped UK bail three years ago, was arrested by the anti-graft agency earlier on Friday. |
Saminu Turaki was arrested on Wednesday and faces similar charges, which they both deny. | Saminu Turaki was arrested on Wednesday and faces similar charges, which they both deny. |
They lost their immunity from prosecution when they stood down after elections in April. Nigeria's governors have considerable powers and budgets. | They lost their immunity from prosecution when they stood down after elections in April. Nigeria's governors have considerable powers and budgets. |
Mr Dariye is accused of embezzling nearly $9m in public funds during his eight-year reign as governor of central Plateau State. | Mr Dariye is accused of embezzling nearly $9m in public funds during his eight-year reign as governor of central Plateau State. |
The former governor had fled the country shortly after he stepped down in May, before later returning. | The former governor had fled the country shortly after he stepped down in May, before later returning. |
He was impeached last November but won an appeal and returned to take power in April for three weeks before his term of office expired. | |
He was first sacked in 2004 when then President Olusegun Obasanjo said he had been "weak and incompetent" in his handling of communal clashes. | |
Mr Dariye is among several ex-governors the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has been investigation on corruption allegations. | Mr Dariye is among several ex-governors the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has been investigation on corruption allegations. |
On Wednesday, the EFCC arrested two of them and questioned three others, who are also expected to be charged soon, the commission says. | On Wednesday, the EFCC arrested two of them and questioned three others, who are also expected to be charged soon, the commission says. |
The other former governor arrested on Wednesday was Orji Kalu. He was taken to court on Friday but then returned to custody, while the authorities prepare further charges against him. | |
Under Nigerian law, sitting governors have immunity from criminal prosecution. | Under Nigerian law, sitting governors have immunity from criminal prosecution. |