Swiss fraud charge for Abacha son

Sani Abacha is believed to have embezzled $2.2bn

The son of former Nigerian military ruler Sani Abacha has been charged with money laundering and fraud after being extradited to Switzerland.

Investigating judge Daniel Dumartheray told the BBC that Abba Sani Abacha was wanted in connection with the loss of hundreds of millions of dollars.

He was extradited from Germany, where he was arrested last year.

Nigerian state lawyers believe Sani Abacha may have stolen $2.2bn (£1.8bn) from 1993 until his death in 1998.

Mr Dumartheray told the BBC News website that the Swiss authorities had been seeking Abba Abacha since 1999.

He was charged with aggravated money laundering, participation in a criminal organisation and embezzlement.

The judge said Mr Abacha should be brought before court within eight days from the Geneva prison, where he is currently being held.

Money returned

In February, Switzerland announced that it was returning to Nigeria $458m invested in its banks by Abacha.

The Abacha family failed in a last-ditch court appeal to prevent the money being handed back to Nigeria.

Switzerland agreed last August to hand over the money - which has been in frozen accounts since Abacha's death - and said an inquiry proved it had criminal origins.

As well as Switzerland, Nigeria is looking for money in the UK, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg and the US.