Breaking News: Ribadu removed as EFCC boss
Abuja - The Chairman of the Nigerian Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu (AIG) has been relieved of his position. Ribadu will proceed on a “mandatory” one year course at the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), even though his tenure as the commission’s Chairman was recently extended by the government of former president, Olusegun Obasanjo.
Confirming this in Abuja, the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Mike Okiro, said there was “nothing” unusual about his removal at this time when the country is waging and nearly winning the war against corruption in high and low places. According to the IG of Police, Ribadu as an AIG was the second most qualified by seniority of the seven officers that have been sent to the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), which will make him [Ribadu], a better officer.
While it is indeed true that Ribadu, as an AIG of Police, is answerable to the Inspector-General and will need to one day quit as the EFCC helmsman, the timing at this time is quite questionable with ulterior motives. At a time when there is high clampdown on corrupt former governors who happened to be President Yar’Adua’s immediate former colleagues that were “coerced” to support him for president, it is indeed a very calculated plan to oust the man who has at least send the right signals to serving political office holders that there are few sacred cows in the nation.
Ribadu will have other worries at this critical period in his life, one of which certainly will be the security of his life. With political assassinations not uncommon in Nigeria, President Yar’Adua and IG Okiro at least owe nigerians the safety and security of the former EFCC boss. The man has not only step on many powerful tows, he has literally paralysed and made the powerfuls to sob like babies. These people will not stop at anything to make him [Ribadu] pay for his “crimes”.
Ribadu’s legacies will be tested in the coming months. If the EFCC can sustain its clampdown on corruption, then he has done well. Although a lot will depend on the new Chairman of the commission, the structure that he has put in place will be put to test.
Naijawire.com thinks Ribadu’s replacement should not be a politician or police officer. The replacement should also not be a crony of the controversial Attorney General -Mr. Michael Aondoakaa (SAN), who has been in the news for mostly the wrong reasons, fighting and at last “winning” a war against an institution that he is supposed to be uphold. We are sure Aondoaka next move will be to scrap the commission or place it as a unit under his ministry. That has always been one of his goals as AGF. We call on the Senate and President Yar’Adua to amend the EFCC act, and appoint Nobel Laurette, Prof. Wole Soyinka or someone of his calibre or status, as the new Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), without delay. The commission must not be seen to have a leadership vacuum at this critical period.
December 28th, 2007 at 10:48 am
When I first read this news, my initial reactions were a mixture of anger and frustration. Then I asked myself why I am disturbing myself about what I call a “sorry case”. Unfortunately, our great nation has disintegrated to a low cost nollywood movie that you can tell what will happen the next minute (we all knew this will happen). I had a discussion with some colleagues about the great or not so great work that EFCC is doing. I was with the notion that Mallam Ribadu was another tool of Baba Iyabo. I changed my mind after a while. In a country where there is so much lawlessness, any individual that attempts to bring down any corrupt leader should be praised.
Here are my questions for Mr Okiro (IG). Why now?. Did the government not know that Mallam Ribadu had to go to school?. Could it be all the top shots that are locked up or losing our money (that they stole in the first place) are behind this decision.
Here is my question for Mr. President. What are you going to do about this?.
We need to save our country from greedy and lousy leaders like Aondoakaa and Okiro.
December 29th, 2007 at 4:02 pm
I think the Government is making a mistake here. The issue here is that of perception, rightly or wrongly the general perception would be the Government is removing him to water down the EFCC, an impression the Government does not need.
Subsequent actions would tell, i.e. the next appointee, the pace of EFCC work, the criminal cases against suspected looters/fraudsters.
The last is not heard on this!