NIGERIA: The governor of Nigeria's oil-producing Bayelsa state, who is wanted on money-laundering charges, was arrested yesterday minutes after state lawmakers removed his immunity by impeaching him.
Diepreye Alamieyeseigha fled charges in Britain last month and Nigerian authorities have also accused him of financial wrongdoing, which he denies.
"Chief Alamieyeseigha stands impeached as governor of Bayelsa. The chief judge of the state is hereby put on notice to swear in the acting governor, Mr Goodluck Jonathan, as the substantive governor of the state," assembly speaker Peremobowei Ebebi said just after the vote.
Minutes later, police and troops, who had been besieging the governor in his office in the state capital Yenagoa, arrested him and took him to police headquarters.
The state's police commissioner said he was being questioned about allegations of financial improprieties.
The impeachment and arrest are a major victory for President Olusegun Obasanjo, who has been waging a high-profile campaign against corruption, particularly involving some state governors, but has been frustrated by their immunity.
The federal government deployed hundreds of troops in Bayelsa, in the southern Niger Delta, two weeks ago following the return of Mr Alamieyeseigha, who jumped bail in London where he was facing trial on charges of laundering £1.8 million.
After he reappeared in Bayelsa, 20 members of the state assembly signed an impeachment notice accusing him of embezzling public funds, holding illegal foreign bank accounts, lying about his wealth and corruptly enriching his family.
After the vote, the lawmakers immediately left for neighbouring Rivers state, escorted by dozens of troops and police. They had said they feared for their lives.
Bayelsa pumps a quarter of Nigeria's 2.4 million barrels per day oil output.
Reuters