04:04 ET<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nOne of Nigeria’s most powerful politicians has been arrested by anti-corruption police.<\/p>\n
Outgoing House of Representatives speaker Dimeji Bankole was held over allegations he misappropriated tens of millions of dollars of government funds – charges he has denied.<\/p>\n
He was held after a four-hour stand-off at his home in the capital, Abuja.<\/p>\n
President Goodluck Jonathan was sworn into office a week ago promising to tackle Nigeria’s endemic corruption.<\/p>\n
The BBC’s Jonah Fisher says Mr Bankole’s arrest comes as no great surprise after weeks of speculation in local newspapers that he would be detained.<\/p>\n
A spokesman for Nigeria’s anti-corruption body, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), said it had received information that Mr Bankole was planning to flee the country.<\/p>\n
Along with all other lawmakers, Mr Bankole’s term of office expired on Friday – a new parliament is due to be sworn in on Monday.<\/p>\n
He lost his seat in April’s elections.<\/p>\n
An EFCC statement said Mr Bankole was wanted for questioning over a series of allegations.<\/p>\n
They include the misappropriation of $60m (\u00a337m), and the taking out of a $65m (\u00a340m) personal bank loan using parliament’s account as collateral.<\/p>\n
Mr Bankole’s spokesman, Idowu Bakare, has previously issued a statement saying he had “never benefited” from his position, reports the AP news agency.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n
Excerpt from:
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