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Nigeria drops big corruption case | Nigeria drops big corruption case |
(about 20 hours later) | |
The former governor of Nigeria's oil-rich Delta State has been cleared of 170 charges of corruption - involving the laundering of millions of dollars. | The former governor of Nigeria's oil-rich Delta State has been cleared of 170 charges of corruption - involving the laundering of millions of dollars. |
The federal court in Asaba said there was no clear evidence against James Ibori, governor from 1999 to 2007. | The federal court in Asaba said there was no clear evidence against James Ibori, governor from 1999 to 2007. |
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which brought the prosecution, described the judgement as hazy and pledged to appeal against it. | The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which brought the prosecution, described the judgement as hazy and pledged to appeal against it. |
Nigeria is frequently cited as one of the world's most corrupt countries. | Nigeria is frequently cited as one of the world's most corrupt countries. |
Correspondents say the government has had to defend itself recently amid growing anger that it is slowing down its anti-corruption drive. | Correspondents say the government has had to defend itself recently amid growing anger that it is slowing down its anti-corruption drive. |
'No stone unturned' | 'No stone unturned' |
The BBC's Caroline Duffield, in Lagos, says Mr Ibori is one of the most wealthy and well-connected politicians in Nigeria. | The BBC's Caroline Duffield, in Lagos, says Mr Ibori is one of the most wealthy and well-connected politicians in Nigeria. |
She says he is a close personal friend of President Umaru Yar'Adua, and is notorious among Nigerians for becoming extremely wealthy during his time in power. | She says he is a close personal friend of President Umaru Yar'Adua, and is notorious among Nigerians for becoming extremely wealthy during his time in power. |
The EFCC say they have "an enormity" of evidence against him and have promised to "leave no stone unturned" in their efforts to bring a prosecution. | The EFCC say they have "an enormity" of evidence against him and have promised to "leave no stone unturned" in their efforts to bring a prosecution. |
"This kind of judgement, if not challenged, is capable of deepening the menace of corruption in our country," the commission said in a statement. | "This kind of judgement, if not challenged, is capable of deepening the menace of corruption in our country," the commission said in a statement. |
The EFCC initially brought charges against Mr Ibori in early December 2007. | The EFCC initially brought charges against Mr Ibori in early December 2007. |
But the EFCC has been at the centre of a political storm in recent years - dogged by allegations of political bias. | But the EFCC has been at the centre of a political storm in recent years - dogged by allegations of political bias. |
Former EFCC head Nuhu Ribadu was removed from his post just two weeks after the charges were brought against Mr Ibori. | Former EFCC head Nuhu Ribadu was removed from his post just two weeks after the charges were brought against Mr Ibori. |
Mr Ribadu was seen as close to Mr Yar'Adua's predecessor Olusegun Obasanjo. | Mr Ribadu was seen as close to Mr Yar'Adua's predecessor Olusegun Obasanjo. |
And last week the EFCC arrested senior critics of the government - who accused the commission of working to disrupt their plans to launch an opposition party for the next election. | And last week the EFCC arrested senior critics of the government - who accused the commission of working to disrupt their plans to launch an opposition party for the next election. |
Wide powers | Wide powers |
Meanwhile, the UK authorities have also acted against Mr Ibori. | Meanwhile, the UK authorities have also acted against Mr Ibori. |
In 2007 a UK court froze assets allegedly belonging to him worth $35m (£21m). His annual salary was less than $25,000. | |
He had already left the UK when his assets were seized. | He had already left the UK when his assets were seized. |
But several of his associates and his wife, Theresa Ibori, are facing trial on related charges in the UK next year. | But several of his associates and his wife, Theresa Ibori, are facing trial on related charges in the UK next year. |
Mr Ibori is named on legal documents as a co-conspirator in the UK case, which deals with alleged fraud from more than one Nigerian state's coffers. | Mr Ibori is named on legal documents as a co-conspirator in the UK case, which deals with alleged fraud from more than one Nigerian state's coffers. |
But no charges have been laid against him. | But no charges have been laid against him. |
Under Nigeria's federal system, state governors enjoy wide powers. | Under Nigeria's federal system, state governors enjoy wide powers. |
Those running oil-rich states have budgets larger than those of some African countries. | Those running oil-rich states have budgets larger than those of some African countries. |
They enjoy immunity from prosecution while in power, but several have faced corruption charges since leaving office after the last election in 2007. | They enjoy immunity from prosecution while in power, but several have faced corruption charges since leaving office after the last election in 2007. |
Just one former governor has so far been convicted - Edo State's former chief Lucky Igbinedion, who was fined $25,000 for embezzling $21m. | Just one former governor has so far been convicted - Edo State's former chief Lucky Igbinedion, who was fined $25,000 for embezzling $21m. |