NIGERIA TARGETS POLL CORRUPTION!

Mr Abubakar denies the charges against him. Nigeria anti-corruption agency is to intensify investigations into politicians seeking sensitive public office and business leaders, it says. Nigeria is to hold presidential and state elections next year. EFCC head Malam Nuhu Ribadu said it had recovered $5bn and convicted 82 people in the past two years. The commission has recently produced a report on the activities of Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, accusing him of embezzlement and fraud.

The BBC's Alex Last says that as elections approach next year, the agency's role is becoming ever more important in a country ranked as one of the most corrupt in the world. Despite huge oil revenues, there's a lack of basic infrastructure, and tens of millions live in poverty.

The EFCC has pledged to stop corrupt politicians running for office, but at the moment a huge political battle is under way between the president, who stands down next year, and Mr Abubakar, who is one of the leading contenders for the top job. The agency has produced a report accusing the vice-president of misusing over $100m in public funds, an accusation he flatly denies.

But now the presidency is using the report as the basis of a constitutional attempt to block him from running. It is not clear who will be in line to succeed Mr Obasanjo, who has denied favouring any particular successor to the presidency.

BBC NEWS REPORT.