Son of former Nigerian ruler is re-arrested

Police released and then re-arrested the son of the former Nigerian dictator after he had spent three years in jail awaiting trial on charges of corruption and money laundering. The move led to a protest yesterday by thousands of the family's supporters.

The authorities gave no clear reason either for the release on bond or the re-arrest of Mohammed Abacha, son of General Sani Abacha, who was Nigeria's military ruler from 1993 until his death in 1998.

On Thursday evening, prison officials escorted Mohammed Abacha to court to sign bail documents, following a decision in July by the High Court in the capital, Abuja, to grant a bond of 10 million naira (£50,000).

In the same month, Nigeria's Supreme Court had acquitted Mr Abacha of murdering the former opposition leader Moshood Abiola's wife, Kudirat, a leading junta opponent.

Heavily armed police took Mr Abacha back into custody as he was leaving the court and whisked him away after a scuffle with Abacha family members.

Thousands of Abacha supporters marched to the palace of the emir of the northern city of Kano yesterday, calling for his release. The demonstrators, chanting "Let our young man go", remained peaceful.

Danlami Hamza, a federal legislator from Kano and close friend of the Abacha family, said sympathisers of the Abacha family were "restive" and "contemplating taking the law into their own hands".

Hadi Mustapha, an Abacha family spokesman, accused President Olusegun Obasanjo of conducting a "witch-hunt" against the family because they are northern, and Muslim. Mr Obasanjo is a southern Christian. He was elected in 1999, ending decades of military rule. (AP)