[ 2011-06-06 ]

Officials say Dimeji Bankole was planning to flee the country

Nigerian speaker Dimeji Bankole arrested for 'fraud'
One of Nigeria's most powerful politicians has
been arrested by anti-corruption police.

Outgoing House of Representatives speaker Dimeji
Bankole was held over allegations he
misappropriated tens of millions of dollars of
government funds - charges he has denied.

He was held after a four-hour stand-off at his
home in the capital, Abuja.

President Goodluck Jonathan was sworn into office
a week ago promising to tackle Nigeria's endemic
corruption.

The BBC's Jonah Fisher says Mr Bankole's arrest
comes as no great surprise after weeks of
speculation in local newspapers that he would be
detained.

A spokesman for Nigeria's anti-corruption body,
the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission
(EFCC), said it had received information that Mr
Bankole was planning to flee the country.

Along with all other lawmakers, Mr Bankole's term
of office expired on Friday - a new parliament is
due to be sworn in on Monday.

He lost his seat in April's elections.

An EFCC statement said Mr Bankole was wanted for
questioning over a series of allegations.

They include the misappropriation of $60m (£37m),
and the taking out of a $65m (£40m) personal bank
loan using parliament's account as collateral.

Mr Bankole's spokesman, Idowu Bakare, has
previously issued a statement saying he had "never
benefited" from his position, reports the AP news
agency.

Source - BBC

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