I think there is every reason to be more concerned about Nigeria’s human rights stance. Under the new dispensation, Bloggers are been detained, a TV station shut, and newspaper editors harassed and offices sealed. The latest harassment happened over the weekend at Kuru during Nuhu Ribadu’s graduation from the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS). Ribadu is the former Chairman of the anti corruption outfit under former president Olusegun Obasanjo.
The Nigerian Guardian reports:
Security operatives yesterday dragged the former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Nuhu Ribadu, from the graduation ceremonies at the NIPSS. Ribadu, who had successfully completed his course at the NIPSS, was at the Unity Hall of the institute where he and other colleagues were seated, waiting to be conferred with the Members of the National Institute (mni) when the operatives pounced on him.
Ribadu has this to say about his experience:
“They (security operatives) forced me out of the hall with 40 members of my family and friends, who have come to rejoice with me.
“I don’t know why it has to be that way since I was not made aware of the plan on ground not for me to graduate. I was forced out; I don’t know why it has to be like that.
“You (journalists) cannot come even if I said you should come. They (the security men) would not allow you in. They forced me out of the graduation hall and took me to a hidden location within the premises.”
Ribadu has been engaged in running battle with the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) and the EFCC.
The NPF had demoted him shortly before he was forced out of the EFCC and made to attend the mandatory course at Kuru. Ribadu not only rejected the demotion, but went to court to challenge the NPF.
The EFCC on the other hand appears to have commenced investigating his activities as the Chairman of the EFCC, a move Ribadu has challenged in court as well.
Whatever the beef is, it certainly does not justify how Ribadu is being treated. These recent happenings are a sharp departure from the picture Mr Yar’Adua painted when he assumed office last year, when he refered to himself as a “master servant” who strongly believe in rule of law.
What happened between then and now, one can only wonder.
Elsewhere:
Nigeria: Ribadu and kids get bundled out of NIPSS graduation
Nuhu Ribadu has been crying for help in many ways over the past few months and I doubt if he had any support. I really feel for this man who has had to suffer so badly for doing a job he was appointed into very well. Initially I thought his removal from office with the flimsy excuse of attending Kuru course was iffy. His demotion was uncalled for. And now I am sure that they are trying to hound him out of Nigeria. Is this because he is the true legal challenge to Waziri if he wanted his post back? I dont know.
In other countries, men of integrity and forthrightness are hailed and promoted. Unfortunately in Nigeria it is the opposite. Those who fight corruption are labelled and fought back by the same government that preaches war against corruption. Yaradua has not been consistent has he. He has this yoyo style of governance that makes him unpredictable and this is dangerous. One thing though is this, injustice can’t last forever, for God has a way of dealing with the wicked (Abacha is a good example, oh even Obasanjo is another example for disgraced he stands in all he does ever since the shambolic election 07 that has brought disgrace and untold miseries on Nigeria and Nigerians.
Ribadu needs help from people in Nigeria. He is so alone in his battle and this new development could drive him out of Nigeria, and this is what I believe they want to achieve. How much more can a man take?
Another crying shame to our ever growing lists of crying shames in Nigeria. Really sad.
November 23, 2008 at 8:58 am
Interesting development. I read recently that Ribadu visited Yardy at Aso Rock. I wonder what exactly is going on, particularly with this ‘investigation’ the new EFCC is pushing.
Way to lose credibility, EFCC and Waziri.
Way to reinforce that Nigeria is a police state, Yardy.
November 23, 2008 at 10:48 am
Am happy that there seems to be concerted efforts to approach Yaradua on this matter. We await further developments.
November 23, 2008 at 3:10 pm
WHAT HAS OBASANJO DONE SINCE ALL THESE NEW DEVLOPMENTS? WAS HE NOT THE PERSON THAT PUT RIBADU THERE, DOUBLE PROMOTED HIM AND USED HIM FOR HIS SELFISH INTERESTS?
RIBADU IS A METAPHOR OF OUR TIME. THE LESSON IS THAT INSTEAD OF BEING USED TODAY AND RUBBISHED TOMORRO, ONE SHOULD JUST REMAIN A “NORMAL CITIZEN.” AT LEAST, THIS WILL ENSURE THAT U WILL CONTINUE UR NORMAL LIFE IN MANY YEARS TO COME EVEN IF THE ‘PHAROH THAT DOES NOT KNOW JOSEPH’ COMES TO POWER. IMAGIN IF RIBADU HAD REMAINED A “NORMAL” POLICEMAN. INSTEAD OF ACCEPTING THE TROJAN HORSE GIFT THAT OBASANJO GAVE TO HIM. RIBADU IS JUST ANOTHER TAFA BALOGUN IN THIS DANCE OF “USE AND DUMP”, “DO OR DIE” POLITICS
November 24, 2008 at 8:50 am
It is true that sometimes one’s ailment can affect one’s mental state. We are ruled by a sick man whose actions are nothing short of sick and twisted.
November 24, 2008 at 9:31 am
Nature abhors a vacuum; Yar’Adua’s being medically incapacitated has created a leadership vacuum and everyone is seeing the fallout. The trend can only take a more more ugly dimension.
Despite OBJ’s influence and Ribadu’s shortcomings, the Ribadu did extremely well as the EFCC chairman. The fact is there are just a handful of people like Nuhu Ribadu in Nigeria, and the way he’s being treated is sending the wrong signal to those few good people that it does not pay to be strong willed and forthright. Certainly not the kind of message Yar’Adua wants to convey to the world.
If one needs more proof that all is not well with Aso Rock, Ribadu’s harassment and the recent media clampdown are enough indicators.
Thanks for the comments!
November 24, 2008 at 11:03 am
god will see you through all this mallam nuhu.you have done so much for nigeria to be treated like this.
November 24, 2008 at 9:36 pm
what is happening to Ribadu today is a clear and direct assault on the intergrity of the Nigrian nation and people.It has succeeded in sending one message accross to the rest of the world, that is, ‘we have come to accept corruption as a way of life’. So any attempt by such patriotic people like Ribadu to stem this unfortunate trend would be resisted by the dark and satanic forces of corruption.
November 25, 2008 at 5:30 am
@Imnakoya and Benson, thanks for your comment. In this day and age, even the toughest of us needs reassurance that all is not lost in Nigeria. We need to keep sane and when we hear of cases where the unjust keep tormenting and incapacitating the just in Nigeria, it begs a big question - IS NIGERIAN CORRUPTION A MASTETISED CANCER?
I feel so so sad but still trying to hold on to the hope that there would be a light at the end of this corruption tunnel in Nigeria. We should not blame Ribadu. He could have accepted the job because he truly believed he could make a mark on war against corruption (in spite of whatever reasons Obasanjo had in appointing him); and he did. This man is being hounded for doing the right thing and that is just the truth. Now let us see Waziri bring Obasanjo, Agagu, Ibori, Ehindero, Etteh, Obasanjo Bello and all others to books. Or is it only me noting that these are cases not concluded or conclusion not made known to Nigerians as yet?
November 25, 2008 at 9:37 am
RIBADU FOR PRESIDENT.
A friend of mine, a long time critic of the Nigerian style Democracy called me few days ago and asked if I would join and support the RIBADU FOR PRESIDENT movement. After a short explanation, I agreed with him that we Nigerians myself included need a disciplined, hard working, corruption Hater, and a person of great substance such as Ribadu as our Leader. The Leader who is ready to work hard for the Nigerians is already among us. We should not want him to expire before we give our support. We had failed in the past to truly support the great leaders of the past.Our past failures have BREED the current corrupt leaders.
However, RIBADU has put his life on the line in the face of death (I mean in the faces of the Nigerian leaders). He continues to stand firm despite all odds against him and his family. As a principled individual that he is, He deserves the support of all well wishing Nigerians.
If you would like to join this movement, I’ll be posting the e mail address by next week whereby you can sign up for free membership.It’s time for you and I to do the RIGHT thing.
November 28, 2008 at 4:54 pm
what happen to America is an example to us,we are tied of this old generation circle,that usually used us and dump us at the end of the day,we need change and change can only come throught youth and i think now we have one among us who is ready to die for the betterment of our belove country,PLS LET COME OUT WITH SOMETHING THAT CAN MAKE PEOPLE REALISE THE IMPACT OF THIS PERSON…….MALAM NUHU RIBADU WE GO FOR……….NIGERIAN OBAMA(RIBADU)
December 2, 2008 at 2:54 am
Ribadu remains an enigma in the fight for a better future in Nigeria. I share the view that people of goodwill must organise to keep alive and support this rare symbol of hope. If Obama can occur in America..Surely Ribadu for President!! Long live Nigeria.
December 4, 2008 at 11:22 am
power is transient whenever we have oppoutunity to rule we must have it at the back of our mind that it is not forever that one day we are still going to be a commoner and ensure we gore less foot.
December 11, 2008 at 8:23 am
@Mojisola i.e. to say “Be kind to those you meet on your way to the top, for you may meet them on your way dooooowwwwnnn”.
December 11, 2008 at 3:17 pm
Nigeria: traitors and patriots forces of darkness and soldiers of light…
During it’s 48 years of independence Nigerians have been subjected to a series of brutal military regimes and inept civilian governments with militaristic tendencies. So it is not surprising the country has managed to build up a pretty dismal h…
December 15, 2008 at 3:13 am
This is so unfair - the future blinks… if Ribadu can be treated this way…
December 27, 2008 at 2:21 am
Ribadu is being victimised for his efforst to tackle the deeply ingrained corruption endemic in his country - I think his treatment speaks volumes about the numbers of probably very highly people he has discomfitted in hiw work. Shame on those who oppose him or try to undo the good he has done! And frankly, if you all stand back and let this happen, you deserve the misery that is no doubt heading your way, masquerading as a servant of law and order…
December 29, 2008 at 10:41 am
Well said Lil.
December 29, 2008 at 7:58 pm
Not until we learn to put National Interest 1st, i don’t think we are ready to move with the trends of changes happening around the.
Is it now the time for EFCC and NPF to be witch hunting our man Ribadu?
Of all the people that were caught in the net of EFCC under Ribadu, how many of them can come out and wash their hands clean of the charges against them.
If that is the case, why is it that EFCC and NPF against the man that is been celebrated by the populace for fighting corruption in the high places.
If we say he was used by OBJ, is it for good or for bad?
I strongly stand by Ribadu till the end.
I supported his cause.
Nigerians must stand up for a change. Its not all about prayers alone but by our attitudes towards events happening around us. What is our mission has an individual towards improving the image of this country or do we want to fold our arms till things go worse.
Let us stand up for a cause that will take this country to the next level.
Let us stop having people that loots our treasury has the chairman of our occassion.
Lets stop celebrating rogues in government.
Its better to save the situation and the time is now.
The world is laughing at us. Lets save Ribadu from the hands of Vagabonds in power
What has EFCC turn to under Waziri?
Simply put EFCC is now a toothless bulldog.
January 8, 2009 at 5:26 pm
@demiro, when we call for prayers about Nigeria’s situation, it is first a cry for help, then a cry for direction and assistance, so that whatever action is taken in the long run, it would be the right and successful one. Nigeria is still searching for the way. Yes you are right, faith without action is void. But which way Nigeria.
Also why is EFCC not publishing the results and their findings on all those baseless allegations they tried to smear Ribadu with? All those million dollar mansions he (Ribadu) is supposed to have in Dubia, Abuja, Britain, America and so. Madam Waziri should be probed. She is not fit to be called EFCC head.
January 9, 2009 at 12:07 pm
We thank God that Ribadu is unjoying good support in his bid at the courts to put the police and this hounding in order. We await the court results.
January 9, 2009 at 12:11 pm