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.

Former US congressman involved in corruption case with Atiku gets 13 years in jail

Former congressman William Jefferson has been sentenced to 13 years in jail for corruption that involved US companies and Nigerian officials.The ruling yesterday, by Federal Judge TS Ellis III of the US District Court in Alexandria, Virginia, followed Jefferson's conviction for collecting bribes on behalf of Nigerian officials, speciafically, former Vice President , Abubakar Atiku. However, the FBI found $90,000 cash, which Jefferson said was meant for Atiku, hidden in a freezer.
But Atiku and his wife, Jennifer Douglas, did not accept summons and subpoenas to appear before the US court. Instead, they moved their family out to Dubai, and put their Potomac mansion up for sale.US Justice department officials told Saharareporters that arrest warrants have been issued against Atiku and his runaway wife, Jamila Jennifer Douglas-Atiku and that the duo would be promptly arrested if they step on US soil.Saharareporters sources said Atiku and his business partner, Otunba Fasawe, did not return the sum of $21 million taken from the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) to the Nigerian coffers.EFCC's 21-paragraph counter-affidavit filed before the Federal High Court, Abuja on PTDF Scam