Nigerian anti-corruption agents have issued an arrest warrant for an eighth former governor.
Lucky Igbinedion of Edo State is accused of stealing more than $24m (£12m) through three front companies.
Seven other governors have so far been charged with corruption by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The BBC's Ibrahim Dosara says the warrant shows EFCC chief, Nuhu Ribadu, is trying to bring people to book before he leaves office next month.
Mr Igbinedion left Nigeria shortly after the end of his tenure as governor in May last year. His whereabouts are not known.
"Wherever he is, we have a network and we will get him," EFCC legal officer Isa Bature Gafai told the BBC.
Mr Ribadu's imminent departure as EFCC head has proved highly controversial and has invited suspicion that the move is designed to hinder the campaign against corruption.
Key figure
The EFCC alleges that Mr Igbinedion channelled money through companies registered to members of his family.
The charge sheet lists 142 counts of money laundering.
Mr Igbinedion was a key figure during the election of former President Olusegun Obasanjo's chosen successor, Umaru Yar'Adua.
As the head of the Governor's Forum, he persuaded other state governors to withdraw from the party primaries in 2006 giving Mr Yar'Adua a clear run to the presidency.
The move comes just weeks before Mr Ribadu is due to leave his job in February.
He has been sent on a year-long study leave by the president, in an apparent attempt to sideline him.
Mr Ribadu himself has been accused of sheltering allies of Mr Obasanjo.
But our correspondent says Mr Igbinedion's warrant proves no former governor will be shielded.
BBC News
Thursday, January 9, 2008
