Nigeria president pardons ex-governor convicted of graft

LAGOS (Reuters) - Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan has pardoned a former state governor convicted in 2007 of stealing public funds and money laundering, the presidency said on Wednesday, a move which in principle allows him to re-enter politics.

Anti-corruption campaigners say sentences handed down to powerful politicians who steal tens of millions of dollars are too soft, and often compare favourably with those handed to petty thieves and robbers.