A Nigerian state governor has been arrested in London by British police for alleged money laundering, Nigerian press reported Friday.

Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, governor of the southern Bayelsa state, was reportedly arrested Thursday afternoon at the Heathrow Airport on his way back from Germany where he had gone for medical checkup.

Alamieyeseigha's spokesman Preye Wariowei was not available for comments now but he denied the arrest in an interview with the Punch newspaper, saying it's "the handiwork of rumormongers aimed at tarnishing the image of the governor ahead of 2007 (general elections)."

Bayelsa State Commissioner for Information Oronto Douglas is expected to issue a statement on the issue later in the day.

Alamieyeseigha's arrest, which was confirmed by the British High Commission in Nigeria, may be connected to the transfer of the money believed to be between 10 million and 20 million pounds (18 million dollars and 36 million dollars) from an account with the HSBC, a prominent bank in London, This Day newspaper said.

British police also seized some one million pounds and property valued at about 2 million pounds during a search of the governor's house in London following his arrest.

There is no news of the release of Alamieyeseigha so far. Some reports said that he may be detained for some days and that the Nigerian presidency and anti-fraud Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had been informed of his arrest.

"Yes, the news is just coming to us now. I can not give you any information officially," EFCC spokesman Osita Nwajah told Xinhua by phone.

Last week, the governor's three aides, including the finance commissioner, accountant-general and government house accountant, were detained and questioned by the EFCC in connection with alleged cases of diversion of public funds through purchases and awards of contracts.

Last year, Joshua Dariye, governor of the central Plateau state, had also been arrested by British police over allegations of money laundering and illegal transfer of funds but was then released on bail.

He returned to Nigeria where he enjoys immunity for prosecution as provided for in section 308 of the 1999 constitution, and has since refused to make himself available for further interrogation by British police.

Source: Xinhua