Fighting Corruption or Fighting Ribadu? Graft wave in Nigeria
Posted By Babandi Gumel
December 30, 2007
The formation of the Economic Financial Crime Commission popularly known as EFCC in 2004 was one of the best acts ever undertaken by the previous Administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo which would never be forgotten.
The Commission under the leadership of the no-nonsense Malam Nuhu Ribadu the Young Assistant Commissioner of Police came at a time when corruption was so ripe among the so called politicians who were there only to protect their own interest and that of their close associates and acquaintances.
The effort embarked by the EFC and its workaholic Chairman Malam Ribadu made a lot a difference to many Nigerians. Among the first real acts of Ribadu and his EFCC was the interrogation of his former Police Boss Mr Tafa Balogun and his subsequent conviction and then jailed. He pursued other leaders including the former Governors of Bayelsa and that of Plateau States sending wave of shivers to other known corrupt governors.
Due to pressure some of the governors decided not to take chance as the Chairman of the EFCC was more powerful and influential than they thought.
Due to his frantic effort pursuing all known corrupt leaders he had accelerated promotion and was made Assistant Inspector General by the former President OLusegun Obasanjo. When Obasanjo handed over to President Musa �Yar Adua on 29th May 2007 he retained Malam Ribadu and asked him to continue as the Chief Executive of the EFCC. However some differences arose between the EFCC Boss and the Attorney General who wanted to curtail the power of Ribadu seen by some supporters of the Administration as a thorn on their path.
In the end Ribadu with the support of majority of Nigerians prevailed and continued his coveted job. Majority of Nigerians see Ribadu as a God-sent who tried his best like Late Murtala, Buhari and Idiagbon to rid the society of the evil corruption. Unfortunately for others he was no more than Obasanjo’s puppet that was there only to do the bidding of the former President. Whatever the opinion may be the least we can say Ribadu tried his best as a human being as no one is perfect. News that started filtering in the Media that the Administration was making a move to get rid of Malam Ribadu started getting afloat.
It came as surprise to many but those who were hatching the plot was no surprise after the unsuccessful attempt to merge the EFCC with Independent Corruption Practices Commission known as ICPC. The sudden arrest of the former Delta State Governor James Ibori seen as a very close associate of �Yar Adua could be the last straw.
So in the end the Inspector General of Police Mike Okiro came out openly and gave a statement indicating that Malam Ribadu with six other Assistant Inspector Generals have been slated to attend a course at the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies at Kuru known as NIPSS sometimes early next year. The question is why now he could be sent later after completing his four year term.
According to the EFCC 2004 Act the Chairman of the Commission shall hold office for four years. He can only be removed by the President if he fails to discharge his functions due to incapacity or any misconduct or if the President is satisfied that it is not in the interest of the Commission or the public that such a person (i.e the Chairman) to continue in office. Well whether Malam Ribadu was working in the interest of the Commission or the Public that led to his removal this is a question left only to Nigerians to answer that. Taking hasty decision to send Malam Ribadu on course at this time is not in the spirit of the Administration’s stance of following the rules of law.
Ribadu’s tenure was extended by the former President Olusegun Obasanjo. President Yar’Adua himself agreed that the EFCC Boss was doing a wonderful job. Everyone thought his job is secured so therefore he should be allowed to continue in earnest.
As justice demands Ribadu is performing very well justifying the confidence reposed in him. He was not found to be incapable or incapacitated by infirmity in mind or body or any course of misconduct. To lay men like me none of these charges could be brought against Malam Ribadu. Majority of Nigerians do appreciate the way Ribadu runs the EFCC and if given the chance he would want to continue with his wonderful job which is making all Nigerians proud in and abroad.
Therefore curtailing his tenure short without any reason could be interpreted as an effort by detractors and corrupt leaders to woo President Yar’Adua to stop the good war against corruption embarked by the Administration. To forcefully push Ribadu aside is sending wrong signals to all sincere Nigerians who believe in the continued war against corruption.
It would be regarded one way or the other like a personal crusade against Ribadu with the aim at undermining his effort which may have serious repercussions and consequence. This very personal prejudicial war embarked by so many unfortunate officials seen as corrupt would not augur well and would not be in the interest of the Nation and the entire justice system and above all the chosen norm and policy of the present Administration which believes in the rule of Law that must be protected at all cost.
So in the spirit of this rule we should allow Ribadu to continue with his job without undue interference from either the Attorney General the Inspector General or any other known General who might have some vested interest. Such interest is only directed or aimed at curtailing the so called powerful EFCC General Ribadu perceived as overshadowing the real powerful generals although less influential than the corruption Czar. This seems to be a real threat as they say power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.
In order to maintain the status quo and bringing Ribadu toying the line like all others the war would intensify becoming personal directed against the person of Ribadu which is so unfortunate. It was like a long term agenda which was on the offing long before aimed at getting rid of this Assistant Inspector General of Police who was becoming more popular among Nigerians and other people and only answerable to the President.
As they could not succeed they have to draw the power and use the influence of the President to push Ribadu out by all means thus giving way to a person who would succumb to their caprices described as contemptuous new year gift to Nigerians by the Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka. The Hausa proverb goes Ba’a mugun sarki sai mugun bafade.
Unfortunately those surrounding the President sometimes give him wrong advice such as this one of the direct or indirect sacking Ribadu sending him on compulsory leave on the pretext of attending a course in the job he mastered and was doing very well. He was said to have been offered a better job in the UN as reported by one paper but patriotically refused the offer with a view to help continue with the cleansing of our environment corruption wise.
His removal would be seen by many as not in the national interest but rather parochial vested nature aimed at depriving the young man of his powerful coveted position envied by many others for selfish interest making the fight against corruption as unreal and not serious thus maintaining the status quo.
So instead of fighting corruption which all of us should join hands with Ribadu and his team some people with vested interest see it the other way round which is unfortunate. They may be of the opinion that fighting back Ribadu the untouchable should be the utmost priority before he wields his unlimited power to descend on then like any other known culprit without fear or favour.
Wa Akhiri Daawana Anil Hamdu Lillahi Rabbil Alameen.