James Ibori, a wealthy and influential former Nigerian state governor, has been arrested in Dubai as part of British efforts to secure his extradition on charges of alleged money-laundering.
Mr Ibori, a leading backer of Umaru Yar’Adua, the late president, has fought constant legal battles since his eight years as governor of the oil-rich Delta State ended in 2007.
London’s Metropolitan Police said Mr Ibori has been arrested in Dubai on Wednesday at the UK force’s request “on suspicion of money-laundering and conspiracy to defraud”.
“The UK authorities are seeking extradition,” the police told the Financial Times.
Mr Ibori has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. His spokesman said he had been detained by agents who came to his Dubai hotel on Wednesday saying they worked for Interpol. He was bailed by a Dubai court on Thursday, the spokesman said, adding that Mr Ibori regarded himself as the victim of “persecution”.
In August 2007, the UK froze assets relating to Mr Ibori worth $35m, more than 100 times his annual salary as a governor. Later that year, he was held in connection with charges that he allegedly stole $85m during his governorship.
A Nigerian court threw out all 170 counts against him in December. But last month, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Nigeria’s main anti-corruption agency, said it wanted to question Mr Ibori over allegations that $290m was looted from state government coffers during his tenure.
After gangs in Mr Ibori’s home state confronted police seeking to detain him, his spokesman denied that he had gone into hiding. But Wednesday’s arrest confirmed suggestions that he left Nigeria for Dubai, where he was believed to own property.
In a country where political battles are regularly fought through the courts, Mr Ibori’s changing fortunes have been linked to the death of his ally, Mr Yar’Adua.
Mr Ibori is no friend of Goodluck Jonathan, who has succeeded Mr Yar’Adua as president.
Mr Jonathan has vowed to reinvigorate an anti-corruption campaign, which had trailed off under his predecessor, during the remaining months of his term before national elections due by the middle of next year.
The Metropolitan police said Mr Ibori was expected to stand trial, but no date could be set pending the extradition proceedings.
, a former Nigerian governor, has been arrested in Dubai on corruption charges. Ibori was the governor of  from 1999 until 2007. He has been accused of stealing US$290m (£196m). As well as being wanted by Nigeria's  anti-corruption agency and by law enforcement agencies in the United Kingdom. 

London's  released a statement saying that Ibori had been arrested at the United Kingdom's request on suspicion of money-laundering and conspiracy to defraud. The Met added that they are seeking extradition though the EFCC are reported to have requested his extradition to Nigeria.

Ibori's UK assets were frozen in 2007. They amounted around US$35m while Ibori's annual salary only amounted to US$25,000. He had already returned to Nigeria when his assets were frozen prior to his arrest in Nigeria in December 2007. 

Ibori was cleared of all 170 charges by an  court in 2009 which found that there was no evidence to convict him. Police attempted to arrest him again in Nigeria last month but were attacked by Ibori's supporters.

The former governor has been a senior figure in  for many years. He played a big part in getting  elected as president.