A former Nigerian minister was taken into custody this morning, hours after a Lagos court handed down a guilty verdict on corruption charges that sources describe as involving over $50 million in diverted public funds. The arrest follows a two-year probe by the UK's Serious Fraud Office into allegations of bribery and money laundering connected to oil and gas contracts awarded under the ministry's watch. Documents obtained by this newsroom show that a London-based shell company funnelled payments into accounts controlled by the minister's family.
The SFO has confirmed it is assisting Nigerian authorities, but declined to comment on whether formal charges are imminent. The man himself remains defiant, his lawyer insisting the conviction will be overturned on appeal. But on the streets of Abuja, few are buying it.
This is a government that promised to clean house. Tonight, one more dirty room gets swept out.
