Nigeria's former education minister and six legislators have been charged in one of the country's most serious cases of high-level corruption.
All seven were charged in the High Court in Abuja with a string of offenses related to giving and receiving bribes.
They all pleaded not guilty.
Former education minister Fabian Osuji is accused of paying legislators, including then Senate President Adolphus Wabara, $400,000 to approve an inflated budget.
Mr. Osuji has admitted to paying the money. He was fired last month by President Olusegun Obasanjo during a televised address to the nation.
Last week, the senate president resigned his post - the third highest ranking position in Nigeria's government.
Some information for this report provided by AFP and AP.