Press Release: ‘BAD BELLE’  BEHIND RIBADU’S STUDY LEAVE 1st January, 2008

The Inspector General of Police, Sir Mike Okiro’s recent order that Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), should proceed on study leave, is, to say the least, in bad faith. 

 

It is on good record that a former Inspector General of Police, Alhaji Tafa Balogun, was investigated, tried for corrupt enrichment and jailed. This is apart from so many other big guns who were made to account for their greed by the EFCC. No one doubts the fact that Ribadu is the arrow-head of the EFCC and any debilitating move against him will definitely weaken the anti-corruption agency. The desire to avenge the fate of Tafa Balogun may be the motivation. Okiro may want to teach Ribadu a lesson: never touch an IG; never investigate the no 1 policeman: it is sacriledge.

 

There are pertinent questions that must be answered at the moment: Is Okiro’s move a forward-looking defence strategy? Does Okiro feel threatened by the EFCC? Does he feel dwarfed by the charisma and efficiency of Ribadu? Does he suspect that even he is already being investigated by the agency? Or is Okiro simply playing the script of one or more of the aggrieved governors who feel they should not have been touched at all? Why did Okiro wait until he was confirmed as IG before making his move? Why is it that Ribadu is yet to receive any notice as to all this? What game is Okiro playing? This is the ‘bad belle’ in the present saga.

 

Our thesis is that ceteris paribus, Okiro should not exercise the power of transfer on Ribadu in view of the fact that the latter was appointed by the presidency and was also accountable to the latter. The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) smells a rat. The time has come for President Yar’adua to speak out. Okiro should not have the power to send Ribadu anywhere until the presidency discharges him from his special assignment at the EFCC. That is how it should be. The presidency is more important than the Police Commission. Yar’adua’s silence can be misinterpreted to mean conspiracy. The president must not abdicate his responsibility. MURIC therefore calls on the president to speak out.

 

We alert the nation on the dangers inherent in an untimely exit of Nuhu Ribadu from the EFCC. This latest move may turn the table against the war on corruption. Removing Ribadu may also dent the nation’s image in the commity of nations. Nigeria was a pariah nation until EFCC launched its war. Ribadu’s success did a lot to redeem our image. From the status of the most corrupt country in the world in 2001, second most corrupt nation in 2003 and third most corrupt in 2004, Nigeria became the 32nd most corrupt country in 2007! Our debt forgiveness in 2006 is also not unconnected with EFCC’s feat, albeit partly. The international community will be alarmed to see how Nigeria kills the goose that lays the golden egg. Another negative impact of such immature departure of Ribadu from the EFCC is that thousands of former cynics who have started believing in the Nigerian dream may withdraw to their cynical cells once again. Take it or leave it: Ribadu personifies EFCC’s war against corruption. His removal at this point in time is an ill wind that blows nobody any good.

 

MURIC calls on all patriotic Nigerians and all men of good will to prevail on the authorities to let this sleeping dog lie. Leave Ribadu alone.

 

Dr. Is-haq Akintola

DIRECTOR