TENSION OVER NIGERIA STATE RULING !
Mr Ladoja has not returned to his office. A Nigerian policeman has died in south-western Oyo State amid high tension after the Supreme Court reinstated the state's governor.
A BBC reporter in the state capital, Ibadan, says some 200 youths were arrested and there is a heavy police presence across the city.
The Supreme Court ruled that January's impeachment of Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja was illegal and he should return.
Five state governors have been sacked controversially in the past year.
Political tensions are high across Nigeria, ahead of next year's elections.
The BBC's Umar Shehu Elleman says the policeman was killed and several detained youths badly injured after they were involved in a car crash.
He says it is not clear why the youths were arrested but those who were not injured then fled after the accident.
'Democratic institutions'
Supporters of Christopher Alao-Akala, who was sworn in to replace Mr Ladoja, say he remains governor, despite the court ruling.
Our reporter says Mr Alao-Akala remains in his office for the moment.
President Olusegun Obasanjo has ordered the police to enforce the Supreme Court's decision.
The president described the ruling as "an affirmation of the efficacy of the country's judiciary in the resolution of disputes that are bound to arise as we strive to build and strengthen our democratic institutions".
Nigeria has been ruled by the military for most of the 46 years since independence.
Mr Ladoja was impeached by 18 of the state's 32 legislators and arrested on allegations of corruption.
Unless impeached, governors enjoy judicial immunity.
Mr Obasanjo, who is barred from standing for re-election, has called for a crackdown on corruption.
His critics say this is cover for the persecution of his opponents.
Nigeria's anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission recently said they were investigating two-thirds of the country's governors for alleged corruption.
Suspension illegal
Meanwhile, a court has decided that the ruling People's Democratic Party's (PDP) suspension of Vice-President Atiku Abubakar is illegal.
He was suspended on corruption allegations, which he denies.
He has, however, missed a deadline to submit a request to stand as the PDP presidential candidate.
He fell out with Mr Obasanjo, when he opposed moves to change the constitution to allow the president seek re-election.
A BBC reporter in the state capital, Ibadan, says some 200 youths were arrested and there is a heavy police presence across the city.
The Supreme Court ruled that January's impeachment of Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja was illegal and he should return.
Five state governors have been sacked controversially in the past year.
Political tensions are high across Nigeria, ahead of next year's elections.
The BBC's Umar Shehu Elleman says the policeman was killed and several detained youths badly injured after they were involved in a car crash.
He says it is not clear why the youths were arrested but those who were not injured then fled after the accident.
'Democratic institutions'
Supporters of Christopher Alao-Akala, who was sworn in to replace Mr Ladoja, say he remains governor, despite the court ruling.
Our reporter says Mr Alao-Akala remains in his office for the moment.
President Olusegun Obasanjo has ordered the police to enforce the Supreme Court's decision.
The president described the ruling as "an affirmation of the efficacy of the country's judiciary in the resolution of disputes that are bound to arise as we strive to build and strengthen our democratic institutions".
Nigeria has been ruled by the military for most of the 46 years since independence.
Mr Ladoja was impeached by 18 of the state's 32 legislators and arrested on allegations of corruption.
Unless impeached, governors enjoy judicial immunity.
Mr Obasanjo, who is barred from standing for re-election, has called for a crackdown on corruption.
His critics say this is cover for the persecution of his opponents.
Nigeria's anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission recently said they were investigating two-thirds of the country's governors for alleged corruption.
Suspension illegal
Meanwhile, a court has decided that the ruling People's Democratic Party's (PDP) suspension of Vice-President Atiku Abubakar is illegal.
He was suspended on corruption allegations, which he denies.
He has, however, missed a deadline to submit a request to stand as the PDP presidential candidate.
He fell out with Mr Obasanjo, when he opposed moves to change the constitution to allow the president seek re-election.
BBC NEWS REPORT.
posted by jackaranda at 5:20 pm
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