Nigeria VP in the dock over graft

NIGERIA’S Vice-President Atiku Abubakar is to appear before a special court in Abuja to respond to corruption charges.

State prosecutors are trying him under Nigeria’s code of conduct act. He denies allegations he diverted $125m into personal business interests.He says his trial is part of a plot to prevent him running in the country’s presidential elections due next April.Abubakar helped block President Olusegun Obasanjo changing the constitution and seeking a third term.Early last week, the country’s ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) suspended Abubakar from its ranks, saying it found the corruption charges against the vice-president too embarrassing.Abubakar will remain in office, but he will not be eligible to seek the PDP’s nomination for the presidential election.BBCHe denies allegations he diverted $125m into personal business interests.He says his trial is part of a plot to prevent him running in the country’s presidential elections due next April.Abubakar helped block President Olusegun Obasanjo changing the constitution and seeking a third term.Early last week, the country’s ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) suspended Abubakar from its ranks, saying it found the corruption charges against the vice-president too embarrassing.Abubakar will remain in office, but he will not be eligible to seek the PDP’s nomination for the presidential election.BBC

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