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Nigeria drops big corruption case | Nigeria drops big corruption case |
(21 minutes 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. |
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. | 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. |
'Menace of corruption' | '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. | 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. | "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. |
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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | Under Nigeria's federal system, state governors enjoy wide powers. |
Those running oil-rich states have budgets larger than those of several African countries. | Those running oil-rich states have budgets larger than those of several African countries. |
They enjoy immunity from prosecution while in power. | They enjoy immunity from prosecution while in power. |
Several have faced corruption charges since leaving office after the last election in 2007. | 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. | 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. |