[JURIST] A Nigerian court sentenced former state governor Dieprieye Alamieyeseigha [BBC profile] Thursday to a total of 12 years in prison after Alamieyeseigha pleaded guilty to six counts of corruption and money laundering. Alamieyeseigha, who governed the oil-rich Bayelsa state [official website] from 1999 to 2005, has spent almost two years in custody. He will be eligible for release soon because the judge ordered him to serve the six two-year sentences concurrently. The court also ordered Alamieyeseigha to forfeit stocks valued at $7.9 million and other assets including cash and property.

In 2005, Alamieyeseigha jumped bail and forfeited 1.25 million pounds (approximately $2.5 million) in the UK and fled to Nigeria to escape money-laundering charges. Alamieyeseigha was removed from office by state legislators within weeks of returning to Nigeria, and was arrested on corruption charges [JURIST report]. AP has more.