A presidential aspirant of Nigeria’s governing All Progressives Congress (APC) party has appeared in court to face corruption charges.

Rochas Okorocha is accused of stealing and money laundering involving 2.9 billion naira ($7m; £5.5m) of public funds between 2014 and 2016 when he was the governor of the south-eastern state of Imo.

He pleaded not guilty on Monday.

Mr Okorocha – who is a serving senator – was arrested last week by Nigeria’s anti-corruption agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

His supporters say the arrest was an attempt to frustrate his presidential ambition.

The APC is expected to hold primaries later this week to choose its presidential candidate.

The elections are due in February next year.

The main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) picked former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as its candidate on Saturday.

President Muhammadu Buhari’s second and final term is due to end in May next year.

Source:Fiilafmonline/BBC