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Nigeria's ex-minister arrested over corruption scandal

Xinhua, February 25, 2016 Adjust font size:

The Nigerian government has arrested former Interior Minister Abba Moro over an immigration recruitment corruption scandal.

About 6.5 million Nigerians applied for 5,000 immigration jobs, but the screening tests for jobs in March 2014 led to the death of several applicants during stampede in several parts of the country.

Each applicant paid a non-refundable application fee of 1,000 Naira (more than 5 U.S. dollars).

The government on Tuesday took further steps in a planned prosecution of Moro, filing the startling 11 charges against Moro and four others before the Federal High Court in Abuja, capital of Nigeria, including former Permanent Secretary Anastasia Daniel-Nwobia.

The charges were filed on behalf of the government by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Moro and others were charged with money laundering, allegedly inducing applicants in the botched recruitment process in 2014.

They were also accused of breaching the Public Procurement Act to award a recruitment contract to a company.

The EFCC started investigations into the job scandal to ascertain the whereabouts of the 650 million naira ( 3.2 million dollars) proceeds gained from the recruitment.

The anti-graft authorities believed the cash was splashed on properties.

All the accused persons will face trial for fraud, violation of the Public Procurement Act, misconduct, corruption, and money laundering.Endi