Nigerian ex-governor arrested

Lagos, 06 March-(ANA)-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, reports from Lagos say. (ANA)

FA/ANA/06 March 2009---