” IG orders Ribadu to proceed on 1-yr course“, Nigerian Tribune.
THE battle to sack the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, may have been shifted to his immediate constituency where fresh plot to ease him out of office is allegedly coming from the top hierarchy of the Nigeria Police Force.
While politicians who are not comfortable with his activities are said to have been pressurising President Umaru Yar’Adua to sack the anti-corruption chief, the leadership of the police force, which is reportedly uncomfortable with his profile, is said to be spear-heading the new angle of “the war against Ribadu†project.
I’m speechless! This must be a joke!
Despite the EFCC lapses, Ribadu is one of the best officers (if not the best) in the Nigerian Police Force. Despite overwhelming influences from the powerful political community, he has done what can best imagined in Nigeria - fighting corruption.
If this ill-timed study leave indeed marks Ribadu’s exit, I can only hope that his replacement finds the courage to continue the fight.
This is BAD NEWS. Nevertheless I am somewhat not surprised for many people are getting too uncomfortable with the good works of EFCC in stemming corruption and bringing Naija looters to books. Is it a coincidence that this is happening so soon after the Iyabo Obansanjo Bello corruption charge? With the Ibori case and so many others pending, with the reports that OBJ ( the baba) could be investigated, with the cries of Nigerians that Etteh, Ehindero etc etc should be brought to books and with the yet to be found out shitting their pants (please excuse my foul language but I just cant express this any other way), little wonder that the name RIBADU sounds like EXECUTIONER to the ears of many corrupt Nigerians.
Are you kidding me Imnakoya …” I can only hope that his replacement finds the courage to continue the fight”…. Any replacement would be a hand picked stooge who would have been well schooled in looking the left and announcing to Nigeria that he or she is really looking right. A SCANDAL THIS WOULD BE IF ALLOWED TO HAPPEN for Nigerians are feeling more and more happy that corruption which is the bane of our country is being tackled. How do we win and make Nigeria better at this rate? We can only pray that the powers that be do not lead Nigeria into Anarchy and Revolution.
December 26, 2007 at 1:36 pm
Oh by the way almost forgot to ask my two inmportant questions:
1. Did Ribadu ask to go study?
2. What course is this one year program and who benefits from it? Ribadu? Nigeria?? or Corruption???
December 26, 2007 at 1:39 pm
The need to institutionalize the Anti-corruption processes is becoming all the more imperative, what if Nuhu were to fall under the proverbial bus(God forbid !).Nuhu is hero no doubt about that, but it’s dangerous to put all our Anti-corruption eggs in one basket.Who is or Who are Nuhu’s potential successor’s? There must be promising young turks that he has identified. These are questions we need to start asking.
December 26, 2007 at 3:14 pm
But the timing of this so called study leave seems questionable. If there is hidden agenda, it wouldnt matter anymore who his successsor(s) would be for he wont be choosing them,. Anyway, in time we shall hear from Ribadu and know what to think
December 26, 2007 at 5:45 pm
Err… considering the source (Tribune), I’d wait until someone else reports it before believing the story.
Merry Xmas to you.
December 26, 2007 at 6:33 pm
I also read this in the Tribune and wasn’t sure what to make of it as no other newspaper mentioned it. I think, like Chxta, we should wait until other outlets pick up on this. Nevertheless, it wouldn’t surprise me if this was true.
December 26, 2007 at 9:09 pm
See: Plot to Remove Ribadu Gets Messy
By Davidson Iriekpen, 12.27.2007
http://www.thisdayonline.com/nview.php?id=98961
December 26, 2007 at 11:12 pm
I’ve seen it. Let’s see what happens.
One thing that has been bothering me about Naija journalists, they never dig much: Reports have suggested that the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Mike Okiro, had been directed to issue a memo to the EFCC chairman directing him to proceed on a one-year course at the National Institute for Policy and Stra-tegic Studies (NIPSS), in Kuru, near Jos
One question comes from this paragraph: who issued the directive?
December 27, 2007 at 4:29 am
This is bullshit. It is only a matter of time when they will also ask Dora Akunyili to proceed on a one year training once the fake counterfeiter lord have their way.
December 27, 2007 at 4:48 am
Chxta - the directive comes from Aso Rock.
December 27, 2007 at 8:47 am
Yes Chxta, reading through the post, although not expressly stated, the directive came from no other than Yardua himself, this is why Yaradua is being asked to be man enough to remove Ribadu if he so desires rather than hide under the pretext of sending him away to prepare him for the position of IG. Many things bother me, what is the real motive behind this ploy/plot? Is Ribadu doing too much in the fight against corruption? Has he signified that his office would definitely investigate OBJ? Is the Iyabogate, Iborigate, Ettegate and all other known and unknown gates going to open a bucket of worms? Why is Nigeria so adverse to the war against corruption? For I do not believe that the ploy is not to appoint a stooge who will sheild all these past and present corrupt b*******.
One last thing that really bothers me is that the powers that be in Nigeria seem to think Nigeria belongs to a selected corrupt few and we others dont matter. Yes as someone said, Ribadu could meet his maker today tomorrow anytime, (God spare and lengthen his life), Yes Ribadu is not the only officer that can fight corruption. Yes Ribadu should not be idolised and his role personified. Yes YES yES. But then, he is being forced out for no good, cogent reason and this begs the question - WHY?
December 27, 2007 at 1:44 pm
@ Omotaylor: Iru question wo ni yen? We all know that in Nigeria, officials do not need to have a tangible and/or relevant reason for their decisions and actions. Besides, as far as the Big Boys are concerned, putting an end to the ongoing anti-corruption crusade (which has received enormous public and international support) is reason enough to remove Ribadu from his post and hopefully make the EFCC ineffective.
There have been various attempts to neutralize the EFCC, and assuming these reports are true, this will simply be another one. Consider the EFCC’s mandate, then consider how much money and manpower the Commission DOES NOT have. That should inform us all that anti-corruption is not truly the priority of this or the previous government.
That being said, I just hope that removing Ribadu from his position as head of the Commission will not put his life at an increased risk. Especially after what happened to Benazir today, I am not in the mood for any additional violence. Particularly not in Nigeria.
December 27, 2007 at 3:01 pm
@solomonsydelle, I beg my brother, o ti su mi o. When we think we can see the silver lining at the end of the cloud, big dudu clouds then blow over and we cant see for a while. I tire. But then my fear is that if this continues, that very violence that we are all afraid of will take over (mmm.jerryrawlings@ghana.operationclean). Ribadu’s life may be at more risk if he is left to continue i.e. if our heads and ogas dont want an end to corruption. Which way Nigeria. One thing is clear, the eyes of many Nigerians in Nigeria, Diaspora and our international allies are watching this corruption thing. Exposing the billions and billions swallowed, and to be regugitated if possible, has really open the eyes of the masses further.
December 27, 2007 at 4:26 pm
All in all, OBJ should be investigated. it will be calamitous if this is shelved. We are still awaiting the Ehinderogate, Ettehgate, Iyabogate, Iborigate and so on results. Na wa for Naija O. “All men are born equal, but some are more equal than others”- George Orwell, Animal Farm says it all
December 27, 2007 at 4:33 pm
Well, what can we say? He can’t be there forever though. But I know he has done a great job. Posterity will give him accolades for his immense contribution.
I hope he would be allowed to contribute meaningfully to the affairs of the nation.
Merry Xmas, Imnakoya.
December 28, 2007 at 1:49 am
http://loomnie.com/2007/12/28/nuhu-ribadu-okiro-and-a-policy-course/
December 28, 2007 at 5:01 am
I find the report as posted by Nigerian Champion quite interesting. Excerpt:
Ribadu must go to school –Okiro
MALACHY UZENDU, HEAD EDITORIAL, Abuja
Police authorities yesterday explained that the nomination of Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu for a training programme at the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) was not aimed at forestalling the prosecution of high profile corrupt public officers.
Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Mike Okiro, who spoke with newsmen yesterday in Abuja stressed that the nomination was a routine training programme fashioned out for certain category of public servants, aimed at improving their level of professional proficiency. He debunked claims in some quarters that it was a witch hunt aimed at crippling Ribadu and having a less aggressive personality at the helm of affairs of the EFCC and eventually stop the arrest and prosecution of the former state governors who had already been declared corrupt by the commission.
For the full report please visit this link:
http://odili.net/news/source/2007/dec/28/708.html
December 28, 2007 at 9:21 pm
I will urge you to read this post on This day via this link:
http://odili.net/news/source/2007/dec/28/202.html
Excerpt:
Eventually, the deed is done
The Polity By Yusuph Olaniyonu, Tel: & Email:08055001965 yusupholaniyonu@thisdayonline.com, 12.28.2007
Friday, December 28, 2007
In our country, major policy decisions come to the public domain through the rumour mill. And when the rumour continues unabated, those who know how to guage public feelings usually believe what started as a rumour will eventually come to pass. May be it happens like that because those who handle information management hold tightly to the strategy postulated by classical communication theorists for the purpose of diffusion of innovation. The pattern is that to spread a new way of doing things, you need to first test it with the opinion leaders or the pace setters. From these people, it will spread to other groups until the last group, the laggards will embrace it.
The comments on this link are worthy of note also>
http://www.thisdayonline.com/ncomments.php?id=99003
December 28, 2007 at 9:33 pm
Happy New Year Folks. Cant help but share this interesting post with you. Curtesy of http://www.gamji.com:
Yar’adua Taken: Babangida Championed Ribadu’s Exit
By
Farouk Martins Aresa
faroukomartins@aim.com
Well, it was not exactly what Babangida and his cohorts wanted from Yar’Adua, they were met half way. You would not want to know what they wish for Ribadu. I think Ribadu should thank his star, it could have been worse. Look at what happened in Pakistan to Benazir Bhutto, we can not compare it to what happened to Murtala Muhammed in Nigeria. Bhutto wanted power because she actually believed that she had the support of the super powers like Moshoodi Abiola thought.
In the case of Murtala Muhamed, he renounced his past and decided to clean up Nigeria. How long did he last? So who does Ribadu think he is? He is lucky he got off by a mere redeployment to Jos for a course he wished he had taken during the time of Obasanjo to be eligible as the Chief of Police. He will no longer be entitled to all the security he has as EFCC boss. That is the real problem. Are they out to get him?
Ribadu made many enemies. That he went after Babangida’s son, and humiliated Tafa Balogun, lined up the former police bosses against him. Indeed, Okiro made sure Ribadu did not investigate his predecessor, Ehindero. Who knows, he may have “intelligence report†that Ribadu might come after him too. So Babangida, who has free access to Yar’Adua was only too happy to oblige and champion their plan.
Yar’Adua, let me warn you. No head of State tolerates or accommodates Babangida and survive. It does not make sense. The only reason Abacha was able to rule, and rule as long as he did, was because he caged Babangida. In spite of the fact the he claims he knows Nigeria and Nigerians more, Abacha kept him in his cage. He was smart enough not to dare Abacha. Babangida will overshadow you.
Obasanjo, every dog has its day, never trusted Babangida either, because he knows him well. When he was in power, Babangida never fails to refer to him as his boss. What does he call him now? Moreover, the only reason Ribadu swore that he will never become the next head of state was because Obasanjo agreed. So Obasanjo defined the limit of Babangida among the polity. All the balloons and kites he flew to succeed Obasanjo failed because that was the way Obasanjo wanted it.
Danjuma still does not know how Babangida allowed Dimka to escape at the Radio station after Muhammed was assassinated. He changes his loyalty fast for self survival and he had no problem saying it. That was why it was either him or his childhood best friend Maman Vasta whom he refused to pardon. It has nothing to do with grace, it has to do with his military instinct.
Yar’Adua, I do not know what makes you think you can rehabilitate Babangida by giving him the head of Ribadu on a silver platter. As much as everyone prayed that this present Government succeeds, the line on the horizon is cloudy. The first shot was appointing the legal defender of rogues and common thieves called governors as the Attorney General of the Federation. So far he has lived up to his reputation and he continues to defend them, not as a private attorney but as the attorney General under the banner of due process.
There are many ways to skin a cat; the EFCC has been gradually emasculated. If the intention of this Government is to continue the fight against corruption and widens its net to catch all those Obasanjo and the Forty Thieves, this is not the way to go about it. Each time we make any progress by one step in our Country, we move two or three steps back. Consequently, we are stuck in a violent wave in the ocean wondering if we will ever see the dry shore.
A country that glorifies its economic vultures and saboteurs can never prosper but Nigeria must prosper in our life time. There is no more time to waste, no more generation to wait for, it must happen now. If this Government refuses to lead, and prefers past failed experimental leaders, to drag us into obscurity, Nigeria will go into revolution.
So far, our internal struggle has not taken us to the carnage in Lebanon, Iraq, Pakistan judiciary or Czechoslovakia, and there is no need to go there. Out of all those who via for election, many Nigerians still prefer Umaru Yar’Adua as the least of all the (d)evils. If you decide to relegate your duties by default into the hands of skillful manipulators, your own brother will not forgive you. These are the same people who watched or deserted as Shehu Musa Yar’Adua met his untimely death.
Nigerians are carrying for solutions that can be brought about by dedicated people who are living in Nigeria but will never be given the chance to make a difference. It does not cost money, material and foreign import. It takes policy decisions to stamp out corruption. If people like Ribadu were planted in every state and in every agency, we will not have to cry about one Ribadu in EFCC.
Which symbol is more important to Nigerians at this moment? The symbol that looters can not go scoot free without being chased to their dens or the symbol that the chasers can easily be disposed of. Putting out the symbol of hope that the face of corruption chaser is different from that of the dog catcher is important in a society endemic with self aggrandizement and shallow adulation.
If our leaders can not embark on a complex project without over-bloated contracts and bids by cronies, at least they can make simple policy decisions that many Nigerians can be proud of. Our short sightedness, greed and loss of communal responsibilities have eaten up that part of our brain that makes decisions for future generation.
January 1, 2008 at 4:35 pm
And so the saga continues. Nigerians in the diaspora are calling for Ribadu to be left in office, but dont think this will happen. A replacement named and Ribadu assured he will return to office after his course. Meanwhile the person laughing well and hard here is IBORI, who i now beleive is the real reason why Ribadu is told to go on study leave. May God judge the wicked, corrupt and heartless people in Nigeria.
January 7, 2008 at 2:48 pm
This is interesting. Excerpt:
“Nuhu Ribadu: The Anti-Corruption Cop Who Cowered
By
Mr. Sabella Ogbobode Abidde
Sabidde@yahoo.com
Every so often the Nigerian Guardian Newspaper goes off mark. It loses its ways. It shoots in the dark. It abbreviates its own guidelines. But because of its role and place within the Nigerian society, the paper has generally been given long ropes with which to operate. However, in her almost three decades of existence, her Tuesday, January 1st 2008 pronouncement — Nuhu Ribadu: The Anti- Corruption Cop They Feared — is perhaps her most perverse and perfidious. Such a scandalous and insidious coronation ought to be beneath the Guardian. This time, it was not. Consequently, Reuben Abati and Kingsley Osadolor should examine their fingers and their conscience for splotches.
Undeniably, it is the Guardian’s choice to name whomever they fancy as their “Man of the Year.†But they have no right to insult our collective intelligence, they have no right to dumb-down our collective thinking, they have no right to lower the bar or to lower our shared expectation; but most of all, they have no right to contribute to and encourage mediocrity. Mallam Nuhu Ribadu was a mediocre. And that’s being benevolent. Truth be told, he was less than that. In my view, and in the learned estimation of many, there should be no high marks or high regards for a man that was wasteful and incompetent and vengeful and who went out, in full vigor, in pursuit of selective justice. …
Read the full text on http://www.gamji.com
January 9, 2008 at 1:56 pm
Often times I question the sanity of some online commentators. I’m convinced several just like seeing smoke emanate from their months following their vitriolic rants. This guy - Sabella is definitely one of such people.
Anyone and everyone knows where Nigeria was pre-EFCC and where we are at present. Even if Ribadu was selective in working his mandate, he has done above average. And he did went after Obj boys - Ibori, Igbinedion, the senators and education minister see this report http://www.utexas.edu/conferences/africa/ads/527.html
Professor Fabian Osuji
2. Senator Adolphus Wabara
3. Senator Chris Adighije
4. Senator John Azuta Mbata
5. Senator Ibrahim Abdulaziz
6 Hon. Dr. Shehu Matazu
7. Senator Badamasi Maccido
8. Senator Emmanuel Okpede.
How about this:
in 2003: The $214 million SAGEM/national ID card affair involving former Internal Affairs Minister, the late Chief Sunday Afolabi; former internal affairs minister Mohammed Shatta and former Labour Minister Alhaji Husseini Akwanga, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ms. Turie Akerele; all of who were accused of pocketing between $30,000 and $500,000 each.
http://www.nigeriavillagesquare1.com/Articles/mobolaji_aluko/2005/04/10-top-corruption-cases-and-cutlass-to.html
Compared to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) - a federal parastatal with similar mandate but which has proved to be toothless and unaccomplished entity so far, it is clear Sabidde is selectively amnesic given his statement about Ribadu.
January 9, 2008 at 7:12 pm
Thanks for your detailed report above Imnakoya. I was astounded when I read the report hence the sharing, so that we can read “the other side of the coin”. The first thought that came to my mind was that this Sabidde guy must have a personal vendetta against Ribadu and I could not help but wonder if maybe EFCC had investigated or Incalcerated someone that had been buttering Sabidde’s bread. Or maybe I thought, EFCC activities have constrained the likes of Sabidde for i hear that a lot of “ole” elitist are afraid of flounting their billions like they used to do because EFCC will be on to them. I hear that gone are the days when looters of Nigerian Economy will buy homes and businesses worth billions and pay “cash”. Whatever the anti ~Ribadu’s or anti EFCC’s say, I pray that these thieves are hunted down and locked up and Nigeria is cleaned up. Like the song goes “Nigeria yi ti gbogbo wa ni, ko ma gbodo baje”… (this Nigeria is for all of us, it must not spoil)… Nigeria belongs more to the masses than these chosen so called overwealthy few, who dont give a zilch about the poor man.
January 10, 2008 at 1:13 pm
UPDATE ON RIBADU’S FORCED STUDY LEAVE: please read the following post courtesy of http://www.gamji.com
Lamorde Appointed Acting EFCC Chairman
From Juliana Taiwo in Abuja, 01.12.2008
President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua has approved the appointment of Assistant Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Lamorde, as acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EF-CC).
A statement yesterday by the Special Adviser to the President on Communica-tions, Mr. Olusegun Adeniyi, said ACP Lamorde, currently the EFCC’s director of operations was appointed following President Yar’Adua’s approval of AIG Nuhu Ribadu’s nomination for a course at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru.
The statement reads: “Further to his approval of AIG Nuhu Ribadu’s nomination for a course at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua has approved the appointment of Assistant Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Lamorde as acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). ACP Lamorde is currently the EFCC’s Director of Operations.â€
The Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mike Okiro had in December last year announced the decision of the police high command to send the EFCC chairman on a nine-month course at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, in Plateau State.
The IG noted while making the announcement: “His going on course does not remove him from being a police officer or stop him from performing his anti-graft duties. Going on course will only make him a better officer and improve him for the job.
“Ribadu is first and foremost, a police officer and an AIG for that matter. As you know, courses are a pre-requisite for progress both in the force and the military. Such courses help to develop both the employee and the organisation he works for. People who go to NIPSS must attain certain ranks and their going is based on seniority.
However, a section of the society saw the action as a plot to remove Ribadu as the head of the anti-corruption agency by some ex-governors facing trial for corruption.
Irked by the decision, some Nigerians even got in touch with Yar’Adua – mainly through open letters – but he insisted that he was not involved in the whole process.
Nobel laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, condemned the decision to send the EFCC boss to NIPSS, describing it as a “contemptuous New Year gift that constitutes an assault on the corporate integrity of the nation.â€
Comparing the removal of Ribadu to the assassination of Pakistani opposition leader, Mrs. Benazir Bhutto, Soyinka in a press statement said Ribadu’s removal would have a far more devastating impact on the psyche of the Nigerian nation “than the deadly event that now threatens to destabilise Pakistan,” through the assassination of her democratic front runner, Bhutto.
Also, Lagos lawyer and human rights activist, Chief Gani Fawehinmi said with the removal of Ribadu, the government has subverted the anti-corruption crusade embarked upon by the EFCC under the outstanding leadership of Ribadu
Worried by the criticism, Okiro had to battle to clear his name. “Seven participants from the police have been slated to attend the forthcoming course at NIPSS and AIG Nuhu Ribadu is the second on the list based on seniority and the above guidelines, hence he is nominated to attend the course. He is not being sent on course for any other ulterior motive than the reasons stated above, which he satisfies. He is not being sent to NIPSS on the prompting of any external body or bodies,” the IG explained.
Yesterday’s approval of Lamorde as acting chairman, puts paid to any speculation about Ribadu’s fate during his stay at NIPSS.”
January 12, 2008 at 12:51 pm
Thanks for sharing
February 2, 2008 at 4:53 pm
As Ribadu starts school this week, any update on EFCC? Any news on Ribadu’s replacement?
February 5, 2008 at 3:46 pm
Yes, Ribadu’s replacement has dropped the charges against Dariye former governor of Plateau state.
February 5, 2008 at 4:12 pm
What’s new Pussycat? NOt surprised but sorry for my country for people get away with murder just because they are in charge. O ma se o. God will judge for the common man suffers all the time.
February 5, 2008 at 5:18 pm
Yes Dariy is free it appears. It’s strange and the EFCC gives no reason for dropping the charges.
February 6, 2008 at 5:51 pm