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Nigeria drops big corruption case Nigeria drops big corruption case
(10 minutes later)
A Nigerian former state governor accused of laundering millions of dollars has had all 170 charges against him dropped, officials say. 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 anti-corruption agency EFCC said a federal judge had quashed allegations against James Ibori, former governor of the oil-rich Delta State. The federal court in Asaba said there was no clear evidence against James Ibori, governor from 1999 to 2007.
The EFCC described the judgement as hazy and pledged to appeal. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which brought the prosecution, described the judgement as hazy and pledged to appeal against it.
International surveys frequently rank Nigeria as one of the world's most corrupt countries. Nigeria is frequently cited as one of the world's most corrupt countries.
The EFCC brought charges against Mr Ibori in early December 2007. The BBC's Ahmed Idris in Abuja says the government has had to defend itself recently amid growing anger that it is slowing down its anti-corruption drive.
In the same year a UK court froze assets allegedly belonging to Mr Ibori worth $35m (£21m). His official salary was less than $25,000. 'Menace of corruption'
The EFCC promised to appeal to a higher court and said they would "leave no stone unturned" in their efforts to bring a prosecution against Mr Ibori.
"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.
In the same year a UK court froze assets allegedly belonging to Mr Ibori worth $35m (£21m). His annual salary was less than $25,000.
He had already left the UK when his assets were seized.
Former EFCC head Nuhu Ribadu was removed from his post just two weeks after the charges were brought against Mr Ibori.
Mr Ibori is a strong ally of President Umaru Yar'Adua, while Mr Ribadu was seen as close to his predecessor, Olusegun Obasanjo.
Under Nigeria's federal system, state governors enjoy wide powers.
Those running oil-rich states have budgets larger than those of several African countries.
They enjoy immunity from prosecution while in power.
Several have faced corruption charges since leaving office after the last election in 2007.
But just one former governor has so far been convicted - Edo State's former chief Lucky Igbinedion, who was fined $25,000 for embezzling $21m.