Africa Watch: Nigerian ex-governor is arrested

"Part of the reason why poverty still persists in our continent is governments inability to work in a bi-partisan manner with the opposition to confront the many problems facing us as a continent. In almost all the advanced democracies a government in power works or listens to the opposition in matters of national importance such as education, defence, energy and the economy. However in Africa such matters are always hijacked by the ruling government to the detriment of the nation and its people". Lord Aikins Adusei

Sunday, June 7, 2009

Nigerian ex-governor is arrested

President Yar'Adua's critics want to see prosecutions not just arrests A former state governor in Nigeria, Olusegun Agagu, has been arrested by anti-corruption investigators. Mr Agagu is a leading member of the governing People's Democratic Party. He is suspected of embezzling millions of dollars of public funds, say officials at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. Mr Agugu was elected governor of Ondo state in 2007, but his victory was annulled by an appeals court last week, clearing the way for his arrest. When President Umaru Yar'Adua was elected in 2007, he pledged zero tolerance for corruption. But his critics say there need to be more prosecutions of alleged offenders, not just arrests. Mr Agugu is the eleventh state governor who served under former President Olusegun Obasanjo to face corruption charges, according to reports from Lagos.