LAGOS, Jan 12, 2008 (AFP) - Nigeria has appointed a new anti-corruption chief after the controversial removal of his predecessor, Nuhu Ribadu, a presidential spokesman said Saturday.

President Umaru Yar'Adua had approved the appointment of Ibrahim Lamorde to replace Ribadu who has been sent on one-year study leave, the spokesman said.

Ribadu, who chaired the powerful Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for the past three years, was relieved of his functions last month.

Human rights activists and other critics said his removal spelt disaster for anti-graft efforts in a country beset by rampant corruption.