Nuhu Ribadu And His Fate: A Nightmare For Nigeria’s Anti-Anti-Corruption

August 18, 2008

Sometimes when it was reliably learnt that the no-nonsense former EFCC Chairman Nuhu Ribadu the Anti Corruption Czar was to be sent on course there was an outcry and public condemnation among Nigerians in and abroad.

While many Nigerians were not in favour of the move few of the elites accused of corruption naturally welcomed the move as it gave them a sort of relief saving them from further unnecessary investigations and so a good riddance.

The workaholic Malam Ribadu became so popular for his role and stance against the corruption and the corrupt practices during Obasanjo’s Administration. Even though the Regime was not so popular yet Ribadu made his headway becoming so popular among the masses for his anti corruption’s drive which helped reduced the menace that was becoming a kind of plague in the society.

Mere mention of his name would send shivers and strikes terrors in the heart of those so called corrupt politicians who amass wealth whether lawful or unlawful at the expense of the masses. Therefore relieving him as the Chairman of the Popular Anti-Corruption Commission known as EFCC and subsequently sending him on a course would come as a relief to many but not as surprise to others. He was so adept courageous and dedicated to his job fearing no one in the course of his duty as he was given the green light to prosecute all known corrupt officials by the former Head of State President Obasanjo .

Though some people were in the opinion that Ribadu was not fair in the manner and the way he dealt with many corrupt officials accusing him of selective justice yet others viewed him like a Messiah who came at the right time.

The persistent allegations were that those who were seen as Obasanjo’s crannies were left Scott free while his anti forces were dealt with there and then by the Selective Judge.

Whatever one may say Ribadu became very popular outshining the most popular person thus making him a brilliant star among other stars. His stardom helped him gained more credit pushing him forward accelerating his promotion to the rank of Assistant Inspector General of Police approved by the former President.

As his popularity gained momentum that earned him more love than hate among many Nigerians at the same time his fame or rather fate courted him unnecessary hatred malice among the detractors. Concerned with his sudden rise as the enmity increased so the speculations .

Therefore they plotted and started working behind the scene against the Police Officer seen as natural successor to IG when the Inspector General retires.

The only way to prepare him to take the mantle of the police affairs so they see was to send him on such course he is undergoing as newly promoted Assistant Inspector General.

The proponents and friends of Ribadu were more interested in the erstwhile Chairman retaining his post, so why sending him on course they queried.

What are the benefits of such course and so on and so force. So the pessimists see the danger and implication of such course as meant only to relieve and deprive Ribadu of his coveted position that made him so popular and influential seen as envied by so many Nigerians.

Off he went as the rumours got afloat and eventually confirmed in February this year. Their fear (pessimists) was confirmed as it became apparent Ribadu was relieved of his position so he lost his job.

A new Chairman was put in place and confirmed by the new Administration of President ‘Yar Adua in the name of Mrs Farida Waziri.

To allay the fears of the sceptics a woman from the same State with Malam Ribadu was appointed to take the mantle of the EFFC Chairmanship.

To differentiate herself from Ribadu the woman appointed to chair the Commission seen as iron lady decided to dismantle the Ribadu machines sacking all those who served under the former Chairman.

Many people were of the opinion that Ribadu was sidelined and deliberately sent on compulsory Police course on the pretext of gaining more experience as an indirect means of getting rid of him a subtle good riddance.

One good thing about Ribadu however was he never came out openly to complain thus accepting his fate honourably whether good or bad a sign of good faith.

On the other hand so many Nigerians including the famous human right crusader and a lawyer Gani Fawehinmi and Professor Wole Soyinka the Nobel Laureate came out openly to challenge the decision of sending Ribadu on course without much success. He is now more than half way through in the course then another rumour got afloat.

This time the erstwhile Ribadu is said to have been demoted two ranks below his rank. He was demoted to the rank of Deputy Commissioner of Police from his present post as Assistant Inspector General of Police causing an exchange of harsh words in the Senate.

The Police Commission which announced the demotion that caused uproar in the Senate said due process was not followed when Ribadu was promoted seen as accelerated.

Despite all these yet apparently Ribadu did not complain as usual leaving his fate to his Creator without mincing a word or making noise and other public comments.

This reminds me of Governor Ibrahim Shekarau of Kano State before he became the Governor. He was a Permanent Secretary in a Ministry before he was said to have been demoted to a mere class teacher and was contented.

What happened in the end due to his patience and humility God in His Infinite Mercy elevated him to his present position as Governor after defeating the one who demoted him in an electoral contest.

It is said he who humbles himself for the sake of Allah He will raise him as part of the ups and downs of life. The Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) was said to have a She camel which used to overtake all other camels in a race. One day a young Ansari came with his camel in Medina and it overtook the Prophet’s camel in the race causing the companions to be naturally disheartened.

The Prophet remarked to the effect that it was Allah’s Infinite Wise decision to bring down anything raised so high as part of nature.

Similarly when Caliph Umar was appointed the Amirul Mumineen the first action which he took was to depose Khalid Bin Waleed as the Commander of the Army. His decision signifying a kind of different stance from that of the Prophet and his immediate successor Abubakar.

It was said whenever Khalid went out with the Army as Commander they used to defeat the enemies and were never defeated causing people to start putting trust indirectly on Khalid rather than Allah.

This drift caused Umar to take such a drastic measure deposing Khalid the Sword of Allah a title given to Khalid Bin Walid by the Prophet himself.

Now going back to Ribadu’s fate as mentioned earlier the people are divided into two camps those in favour and those who are against him.

Those in favour of Malam Rabadu would naturally be disappointed with the recent developments while those against would obviously want see to his downfall. Everyone has different opinion but in the end we should all remember it is all in the hands of Allah. He who bears misfortune for the sake of Allah patiently as reported in Ahadith would be compensated with a better thing as the Hadith clearly points out.

So as no one knows the future we have to put our trust in God. Something seen as apparently good may not be good as Allah has mentioned at the same time something seen as evil eventually may turn to be good thing in the future so Allah knows and we do not know.

So whatever Allah has decided for him one good thing about Malam Ribadu he kept mute leaving Nigerians quietly and openly discussing and debating his fate.

Would he be allowed to continue with his studies after going more than half the way through? Well it is left to the Police Commission to decide his apparent future which is still hangs on the balance becoming uncertain.

The question one may ask who knows tomorrow he may end up becoming the highest ranking police officer despite the obstacles and apparent ups and downs which he is currently undergoing at the present moment .So life goes on whether one likes it or not.

One thing worth mentioning like the future of any human being it is only in the hands of Allah who knows our fate and only Him and no one else knows the future or what will happen tomorrow.

Therefore it is good to have firm conviction and belief that all our fate has already been decided or decreed and n body has got the power to change his or her own fate. So we should leave such future squarely in the hands of the Creator who is well aware and acquainted with all what we do and pray for the best.

So in our own interest therefore it is always advisable to be good and do good to others whatever people may say or speculate cannot alter the fate which has been decreed by the Decision Maker.

Who knows Ribadu could be sincere and he may not be understood as a human being he has his own weaknesses but time will tell. At most he was only trying his best to rid the society of corrupt practices in his corruption crusade earning him great respect and admiration among the ordinary Nigerians on one hand which is yet to be appreciated.

On the other hand may be his extra-ordinary outstanding popularity making him a star dwarfing and outshining many might have caused the rift between him and his bosses leaving his fate hanging in the balance causing the present standoff which led to his exit from the Commission and consequent demotion.

Before we conclude we should also be fair to Ribadu’s bosses as the Hausa proverb goes. “ Idan an bugi jaki sai a bugi taiki”, meaning if we hit the donkey we should also hit the load. As we equally acknowledge that Ribadu is an asset to the entire Police establishment and the whole Nation at large but he should remember he is still a Police officer therefore he should set example thus becoming obedient to his superiors as he is not a law unto himself.

If he wants continue to instil discipline he must learn to be disciplined himself as they say charity begins at home why imposing it on others if he is not ready to take that sort of exception.

At the same time we should give him benefit of doubt. I am sure Malam Ribadu has learnt something in the short period which he is attending his further training preparing him for the future and bigger role which he may play in the disciplined establishment like the Police Force. He should remember he is more than an ordinary person.

As earlier said who knows what he will become in the future as they say what begins well should end up well. Ribadu has already learnt to be humble to his bosses so equally the bosses must learn to be generous and magnanimous in their approach leaving aside bye gone to be bye gone forgiving the former EFCC Boss for misbehaviour if at all he misbehaved.

In addition gaining accelerated promotion in the Country is not new as so many enjoyed it including the Late Chief of Staff Supreme Headquarters during Obasanjo Military Regime Late Shehu Musa ‘Yar Adua the brother of the current President Umaru Musa ‘Yar Adua .

It is said even the current Inspector General Mike Okiro himself was said to have enjoyed similar acceleration so therefore such acceleration is not new in the Army or the Police for those who deserve them.

The Police Commission should be considerate by reviewing his demotion along with others to make him at least a Police Commissioner rather than the Deputy which Ribadu deserves. It is left to the authorities concerned not for me or anybody to intervene but we can only plead on behalf of these courageous dedicated Police officers including Ribadu promoted and now demoted who made many of us proud to be reconsidered for reinstatement.

So as to balance the equation the Police Commission should not be seen to be too vindictive penalising its good or rather one of the best members unnecessarily. It should extend its olive branch to Malam Ribadu and the many demoted for peace and prosperity.

The line of communication should be opened so as to be seen as peaceful clearing the air of any sort of misconception. They all want keep peace in the Country so they are interdependent making everyone gaining rather than seen as losing.

As the present Administration believes in the rule of law we should strike the balance between what people may term as former misbehaviour and good behaviour forgiving and forgetting what had happened in the past and look forward for a bright and better future by cooperating with one another.

It is bounding duty on all of us collectively and individually to move forward our beloved Nation as they say if there is a will there is a way. May Allah help all of us reach our goal.

Wa Akhiri Daawana Anil Hamdu Lillahi Rabbil Alameen

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