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'Obasanjo is corrupt'
18/07/2007 20:40 - (SA)
Lagos - A top Nigerian lawyer accused former president Olusegun Obasanjo of corruption on Wednesday and asked the anti-graft commission (EFCC) to investigate his financial activities while in office.
"You do not need anybody to tell you that Obasanjo is corrupt. I have gone to court several times over the matter. The EFCC must investigate him to make their job complete," said lawyer and human rights activist Gani Fawehinmi
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Fawehinmi alleged that Obasanjo collected kickbacks to the tune of 8.5 billion naira in May 2005 to build a presidential library in his home town of Abeokuta in the southern state of Ogun.
He also alleged that Obasanjo was bankrupt in 1999 when he came to power but now presides over a multi-billion naira farming business.
"Let Obasanjo make his assets before 1999 public and tell us what it is after he left office in 1999," the lawyer said.
Obasanjo was a military ruler between 1976 and 1979 and returned to power as democratically-elected leader in 1999 to rule for two eight-year terms.
He left office last May after a general election won by Umaru Yar'Adua.
The fight against corruption was a key plank in his eight-year rule but many governors during his administration are now facing corruption charges by the Economic and Financial Corruption Commission.
Some 15 former governors who left office in May have been questioned over corruption allegations and some are already facing trial.
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