afrol News, 11 January - A court in Lagos, Nigeria has denied the bail application of a former governor of the southwest Ekiti state. Ayo Fayose has been arraigned for corruption and money laundering.

Tijani Abubakar, the presiding court was quoted as ordering the ex-governor to remain in detention until the court decides on his bail application on 21 January.

Nigerian authorities accused Fayose for siphoning huge amount of money from the state coffers while in office. He has been held since last December.

After his impeachment by Ekiti state lawmakers on corruption charges in 2006, Fayose fled the country. He only returned to Nigeria last December and handed himself over to the official anti-graft agency [Economic and Financial Crimes Commission]. The former governor was immediately arrested.

The anti-graft agency that is itself in the centre of crisis following the removal of its chief, Nuru Ribadu, has been investigating 15 former governors on corruption.

Also standing trial on similar counts is the former governor of the oil-rich Delta state, Chief James Onanefe Ibori expected to appear before the Kaduna court. He is expected to answer to over a hundred charges of corruption.

Ibori, who was also refused bail last month, was the governor of Delta state from 1999 to 2007. He continues to be remanded. Ibori is also being investigated by the British police.

However, Ibori was reportedly moved to Abuja national hospital for medical treatment on the orders of the Interior Minister, Major General Godwin Abbe (rtd). He was escorted by a heavy security.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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