Nigerian MPs brawl over speaker

President Yar'Adua has vowed to crack down on corrupt politicians

A hearing into a $5m spending spree by the speaker of Nigeria's House of Representatives ended in a brawl.

Patricia Etteh appeared before a committee of MPs to answer accusations that she spent $5m on home renovations and buying 12 cars.

But her attempts to speak were drowned out by chants of "Thief! Thief!" in her native Yoruba language.

The hearing descended into uproar with MPs trading punches and the speaker was hurried out by security staff.

They had to use fists and elbows to shove a screaming crowd out of her way.

The committee hearing broke up in chaos and the House went into a closed-door session to figure out what to do next.

President Umaru Yar'Adua took office in May pledging to crack down on corruption and is under scrutiny over whether he will deliver.