Nigerian state governor charged with money laundering in Britain has skipped bail and resurfaced in his oil-producing home state to a triumphant welcome, officials said on Monday.

Alamieyeseigha

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Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, governor of Bayelsa state, has immunity from prosecution when in Nigeria and his return deals a severe blow to President Olusegun Obasanjo's campaign to curb theft of public resources by some state governors.

"The governor is back and at his desk working ... As he drove into town, the streets were lined with crowds of people waving white handkerchiefs and jubilating," said Oronto Douglas, a commissioner in the Bayelsa state government.

"He came into government house, knelt down and prayed. Then he addressed thousands thanking the Ijaw people for bringing him back."

The Ijaw are the dominant ethnic group in the Niger Delta. Alamieyeseigha's detention in Britain was interpreted by many Ijaw as a slight on them as he is the only Ijaw among Nigeria's 36 state governors.

In addition, many of his loyalists alleged that the governor was being persecuted because of political differences with Obasanjo.

A British court charged Alamieyeseigha with laundering 1.8 million pounds in September and he was given bail on condition that he did not travel abroad. He had handed in his passport and a large bail bond to authorities in London.

It was not immediately clear how Alamieyeseigha had managed to leave Britain after surrendering his passport.

Obasanjo says his government is fighting systemic corruption and a handful of people in high places have lost their jobs or been charged. But critics say the anti-graft campaign targets only Obasanjo's opponents, leaving his allies undisturbed.

Nigeria is ranked sixth most corrupt country in the world by independent watchdog Transparency International.

A spokesman for the British High Commission said the governor had breached his bail conditions. "It is likely that the police would apply to the courts to issue an arrest warrant for use if he returns to the UK," he said.

Alamieyeseigha's immunity from prosecution runs out when he steps down, which is due to happen in 2007.

He is the second Nigerian state governor to escape British justice after Joshua Dariye of Plateau state, who was under investigation in Britain for money laundering, returned home in 2004 and is now wanted by British police.