The decision of the top brass of the Nigerian Police Force and the Presidency to send [tag]Nuhu Ribadu[/tag], the EFCC boss, on a compulsory one-year study leave is one that has generated quite a bit of rancor within the Nigerian community, both home and abroad. If you are like me - and have been wondering what Ribadu stands to gain from studying at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies at Kuru: not much, and “he would probably not choose Kuru”.
Yemi Adebowale writes via ThisDay:
Fighting financial crimes, much less arresting ex-governors for corruption and prosecuting them in the court of law, is not one of the diets on offer at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (or the National Institute)…Its primary objective is serving as the nation’s foremost policy “think-tankâ€, developing a crop of top class “technocrats of high intellectual capacity who will conceptualise and anchor the implementation of innovative and dynamic policy initiatives and strategies critical for national development.â€
[tag]Nigeria[/tag]
Originally posted by The Law on Chxta’s World:
Sheesh. From all the crap flying around on Nigerian newpaper websites, one would think Nuhu was truly gone. Well, I hate to rain on the “Goodbye Nuhu” parade, but, to quote Arnie, desire is irrelevant…
For the record, and the uninformed newspaper editors out there, the EFCC Act 2004 provides that the Chairman (who is, for the time being, one Uncle Nuhu) can only removed by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for reason of under-performance (certainly not a ground that can be raised against Uncle Nuhu) or mental incapability.
All are invited to note that the Act did not say the Inspector General of Police (IG) could remove the chairman of the EFCC, even though the said Chairman is also a police officer. The President, for the time being one Umaru Musa Yar’adua, and who has the power to announce the removal of the EFCC Chairman, has made no such announcement.
And now, let us look at what was really said. The IG (a certain MIke Okiro) announced that Ribadu was to proceed on a one-year study leave to the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) at Kuru, in Plateau State of Nigeria. It is a well known fact that no one can become IG in Nigeria without having first completed a course of study at NIPSS. Indeed, it was rumored at one point that Baba wanted Uncle Nuhu to become IG, but was notified of this stumbling block. As such, before he left office, he promoted Uncle Nuhu to Assistant IG, and renewed his tenure as EFCC supremo for another four years.
It is pertinent to note that of Obasanjo’s “Fantastic Four” of Okonjo-Iweala, Ezekwesili, Soludo, and Ribadu, only Soludo and Ribadu retained their jobs, and of these two, only Ribadu’s job is relatively secure. This is for one reason, and one reason only - to remove Ribadu now would be the equivalent of committing international credibility suicide. And Yar’adua is desperately seeking international credibility. Aondokaa has been allowed to restrain Uncle Nuhu, but has not been permitted to totally shackle him, despite the repeated braying of the likes of Olisa Agbakoba et al.
As for the “study leave”, hell, serving Generals in the Nigerian Army (and I’m not talking “mere” Brigadiers) and other highly ranked military officers are regular students and lecturers at Kuru. These persons retain their respective command positions and complete paraphenalia of office despite their duties at NIPSS, and it’s certainly going to be the same for Ribadu.
So, sorry to all the rejoicers out there, but it’s time to put away the ticker tape and the banners.
December 30, 2007 at 4:35 am
Whatever Ribadu stands to learn at Kuru I may not know. One minute its like Ribadu isnt going on study leave as he is yet to be redeployed to further education properly. Yaradua has not announced Ribadu’s posting, and Ribadu as all Nigerians know has not underachieved and not mentally unstable. Ribadu is quoted as saying as at 2 days ago that he had not been formally informed of the posting, Okiro is said to have stated that Ribadu has no choice but to accept the posting or else… So which is which. Oh I digress (always do this), Nigeria stands to learn (not gain)a lot from these political games though. Causes upsets, maladministration, no progress especially in chasing after Nigeria’s corruption infested leaders and powers. Why cant we for a change allow good things to last and good causes followed to an end. Everywhere we are told that the people that matter most in any country are the common men/women. So if that be the case, please allow them a voice for a change.
What will Ribadu learn at Kuru? Hope it is survival and playing the strategy of a dolphin successfully in a country predominated by SHARKS.
December 30, 2007 at 12:24 pm
The whole situation has been handled poorly. I don’t think sending Ribadu back to school is the problem. The government should have also announced an “able” chair-person to replace him. The next most senior officer at EFCC, Ibrahim Lamorde, is also going back to school. When did we become so focused on education?
December 30, 2007 at 2:05 pm
@Remi, pardon me if I dont sound that cheerful about this matter, but you see reading between the lines, we have not become focussed on education at all. The powers that be are focussing more on satisfying themselves, protecting some people, stemming the fast moving train of the war against corruption and as usual, because the counsel of Ahitophel is dammed, and must turn to foolishness, they are rash and muddled in handling the situation. This is God’s way of exposing the fact that things are not being done for good reasons. Ribadu could go to school yes, but why now when its so crucial to sort out pending cases - IBORI, FAYOSE, IYABOOBASANJOBELLOAKINLAWON, ETTEH, EHINDERO, MANY OTHER UNNAMED EX GOVERNORS, AND EVEN THE BABA HIMSELF - OBJ.
If the government, namely Yaradua, Okiro, etc are happy with the war on corruption, now is not the time to send Ribadu to school.HAPPY NEW YEAR NIGERIA. HOPE 2008 HOLDS IN STORE FOR ALL OF US ANSWERED PRAYERS.
December 31, 2007 at 7:07 am
Excuse my sarcasm about education. I couldn’t help it.
I agree with you, this is not time to send Ribadu to school in view of the pending cases the commission is currently pursing. However, are we saying no one else in Nigerian Police force or in the EFCC can do what Ribadu does? Someone found Ribadu, a replacement can be found. Do remember that the EFCC chairman only has boundaries as much as the president will allow. His replacement may just be as good but I guess time will tell.
December 31, 2007 at 7:48 am
@Remi, of course no one is indispensable in life. Like someone else pointed out, Ribadu could be called by his maker today (God forbid) and someone else would take his place, but we will be rest assured that there are no hidden agenda. Believe you me, just like you and many others, we want the best for Nigeria and the fight against corruption was sweeet music until now for the war was on a winning side. Now the replacement for Ribadu, hmmm wish I shared your positivity that his replacement could be just as good. But I dont. Why? Well from the way Ribadu is being dispatched, I feel a stooge will be there as a replacement, so that kills the battle a bit. From the lack of preparedness in naming a successor, the powers that be could be fishing around for a “Yes servant”. My prayer now is that the person replacing Ribadu would have the heart of truth and be bold and turn against anyone that tries to use him to cover up corruption or influence the justice/judgement awaiting th corrupt people identified so far, but then even with my prayer, he/she too will be sent to school if good. Which way Nigeria? 2008 will tell. Have a Happy New Year
December 31, 2007 at 8:26 am
By the way, someone could tell you how it feels to be relegated to the corner if ideas (good ones) do not conform with what the Ogas want, and this is a vision killer. Ask Soludo
December 31, 2007 at 8:28 am
There is a good replacement for Ribadu, and finding this replacement wouldn’t be difficult if Ribadu’s redeployment was done in good faith. The fear of many is that Ribadu’s forced study leave is an attempt to cripple the EFCC…simple
December 31, 2007 at 9:04 am
@Imnakoya, and who is this “good replacement?” + what makes you conclude that he is “good”, meaning that he or she would deliver like or better than Ribadu (so that EFCC is not crippled”? I do want this to be so, I am not being cynical but wants my own education outside Kuru.
December 31, 2007 at 11:15 am
Of course there are good replacements for Ribadu - if the zeal is there for find that person!
Just as Imnakoya states - the reassignment of Ribadu appears not done in good faith, going by how it was done and reports in the media - and this is why it appears that Presidency will not be too keen to field the right person. We just have to wait for them to announce who this person is - we just have to wait.
December 31, 2007 at 11:39 am
The waiting game… Still waiting for an answer that dates back to April 2007 in Ondo State, Still waiting for answers on Corruption charges against so many, still waiting for the new face of Lagos (Mega or Real Lagos), Still waiting for which way Nigeria. Tony my brother, I must wait, and will wait, for one thing I have gained so far is PATIENCE. NIGERIA WILL ONE DAY BE FED UP WITH WAITING. HOPE ANSWERS COME IN THE YEAR 2008 (i wish!!!)
December 31, 2007 at 12:12 pm