July 2001 Africa News Headlines

Monday, July 23, 2001 - Web posted at 12:11:07 GMT

Former Nigeria ruler accused of massive corruption

LAGOS - Nigeria's last military ruler, retired general Abdulsalami Abubakar, has been accused by a former head of military intelligence of overseeing massive corruption, news reports said on Friday.

Abubakar, who ran Nigeria for 11 months from June 1998, "going by the records, took over power to get money," retired brigadier-general Ibrahim Sabo told the country's human rights panel.

While in power, Abubakar "manifested a high propensity of looking for money," Sabo added.

Abubakar was chief of defence staff in June 1998 when then military ruler General Sani Abacha died.

After succeeding Abacha he organised elections and handed over control to the winner, former military ruler Olusegun Obasanjo. - Nampa-Sapa-AFP

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