Ex-Zambia President Rupiah Banda Arrested Over Nigerian Oil Deals

Zambia has officially charged formal President Rupiah Banda for abuse of authority over a Nigerian oil deal, a government spokeswoman has said.

Mr. Banda last week apeared before an official panel to answer allegation of corruption.

The allegation relates to his three years of Africa's biggest copper producer.

Mr. Banda has been accused of misappropriating more than $11m (£8.4m) during his three years in office.

He has been released on a bond and will appear in court tomorow.

Zambia this month stripped Mr. Banda of immunity from prosecution, a sign it was getting closer to bringing formal charges against him.

Mr. Banda, who led Afrca's top copper producer from 2008-2011, has maintained his innocence.

The formal resident was questioned for nearly three hours after his arrest, his lawyer Sakwiba Sikota said, adding that Mr Banda has done nothing wrong.

Mr. Banda later appeared before supporters telling them to remain calm and that he will win his case in court.

He was defeated in 2011 by rival Michael Sata, whose government has launched several high-profile corruption probes in to deals struck by the formal administration.