Nigeria corruption probe

Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has agreed to be investigated by the country’s anti-corruption watchdog after a political opponent accused him of graft, an allegation he denies, officials said.

Obasanjo’s spokesman Femi Fani-Kayode confirmed the Nigerian leader would submit to a probe by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

Abia state Governor Orji Uzor Kalu alleges that Obasanjo is stealing state funds for a university he owns, that the leader has overseas bank accounts - which Obasanjo denies – and that he has received large sums of money on several oil and defence contracts.

Fani-Kayode said the accusations do not have any substance.

Kalu, himself under investigation by the agency, has accused Obasanjo of dictatorial tendencies despite being a member of Obasanjo’s governing party. Kalu has announced intentions of running for the presidency when Obasanjo’s second and final term is finished in 2007.