El-Rufai challenges Nigeria corruption arrest warrant

A high-profile former Nigerian minister has gone to court to challenge moves to arrest him over corruption allegations.

As a close ally of ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Abuja Minister Nasir el-Rufai used to be one of Nigeria's most powerful people.

His lawyer has described the international arrest warrant issued last week as part of a "witch-hunt".

Mr el-Rufai is currently in the US but has promised to return to Nigeria before the end of the year.

He is wanted over the alleged disappearance of some $246m of government funds.

The warrant was issued after the authorities said he had missed several invitations to answer the allegations against him.

He denies any wrong-doing and his lawyer says the charges are politically motivated.

Last week, his lawyer Robert Amsterdam suggested that the warrant had only been issued because President Umaru Yar'Adua is sick in hospital in Saudi Arabia.

Mr el-Rufai was one of more than 50 prominent Nigerians who signed a letter calling on President Yar'Adua to step down because of his health problems.