LAGOS (AFP) - The former head of Nigeria's anti-graft body, who fled to the United States more than a year ago after surviving an assassination attempt, has returned home, his lawyer said on Saturday.

The return of Nuhu Ribadu, ex-chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, also comes after the government dropped charges against him for allegedly failing to declare his assets.


Ribadu, a senior policeman, had left Nigeria 17 months ago after gunmen shot at his bullet-proof vehicle in Abuja.


"Mr. Ribadu came back yesterday (Friday). He was received at the Lagos airport by his wife, children and well-wishers," his lawyer Femi Falana told AFP.


"I feel very great. I am happy to be back home", Ribadu was quoted in the local media as saying on his return on Friday.


Ribadu was appointed by then-president Olusegun Obasanjo to head the graft body but was removed in December 2007, accused of not declaring his assets while in office in compliance with the 1999 constitution.


Last month, the government dropped the charges against him and also restored his senior police rank.


Anti-graft campaigners say Ribadu fell foul of powerful former state governors by trying to bring them to justice on embezzlement charges, and argue that the anti-corruption war has lost steam since his removal.


Transparency International still ranks Nigeria as one of most corrupt countries in the world.


Speculation is rife in local media that the charges were dismissed to pave the way for Ribadu to be appointed as special adviser on corruption to new President Goodluck Jonathan