Guns, women and fistfuls of allegedly misappropriated dollars: the trail leading to the arrest of the former Iraqi Trade Minister has the perfect ingredients for a corruption scandal.

Abdul-Falah al-Sudani, who resigned from his position last month, was held after his aircraft was ordered back to Baghdad airport having taken off for Dubai.

Mr al-Sudani is due to be transferred today to al-Samawah in southern Iraq, where he will face charges of mismanaging the Trade Ministry by importing expired foods, engaging in illegal contracts and nepotism.

The fight against corruption in Iraq has emerged as the latest stage in the strategy by Mr al-Maliki to stabilise the country. The Government, which is aware of seething public disquiet over top-level corruption that is crippling the Iraqi economy and costing millions in lost investment, has promised severe action against guilty parties regardless of their stature. More than 997 arrest warrants have been issued this year as a result of the anti-corruption drive, including 51 for top-level officials.

Mr al-Sudani, who holds joint British-Iraqi citizenship, is the highest profile figure to be arrested. The Trade Ministry came under investigation because of its role in importing out-of-date or substandard food stock as part of a $5 billion (£3 billion) programme to provide monthly food rations for all Iraqis.The reputation of Mr al-Sudani was tarnished further when a video was posted on YouTube allegedly showing one of his brothers and an aide carousing with three scantily-clad dancing girls.

On April 29 a police raid on the Ministry of Trade offices resulted in a 15-minute gun battle with a militia led by Sabah and Majid, two of Mr al-Sudani’s brothers. Sabah was arrested attempting to flee the country.

Hussein al-Shahristani, Iraq’s Oil Minister, is due to be summoned to face questions in parliament over his handling of the country’s oil exports.

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