NUHU RIBADU’S INSUBORDINATION: ONLY THE GUILTY RUN WHEN NOBODY IS PURSUING THEM

The picture is getting much clearer by the day as to the principal motive behind the deafening barrage of  noises one has been subjected to of late by the media-savvy and egregiously manipulative former EFCC boss and his cheering  foot-soldiers.

In what must be seen as a troubling development, the EFCC under the chairmanship of Mrs. Waziri is alleging, with the appropriate documentation at its disposal, it would seem, that the erstwhile EFCC chairman failed to handover properly when he was relieved of his commission. Nuhu Ribadu only left a three-page handover note with Mr. Lamorde,  his immediate successor (in acting capacity) at the EFCC. The EFCC has stated that some case files involving investigations of former governors suspected of involvement in corrupt practices did develop wings and mysteriously disappeared under Ribadu’s watch.

Now, simple summons, first, by the EFCC and then, by the police through the Inspector General of Police (IGP) for Nuhu Ribadu to go to the offices of the anti-corruption agency in order to clarify certain grey areas regarding, amongst other things, the missing dossiers, have been met with media-driven antics bordering on insubordination. This kind of unbecoming conduct by a serving police officer should not go unpunished.

Resorting to what has to be seen as the moral equivalent of an abuse of court processes, the former anti-corruption tsar, as his acolytes prefer to call him, hedged, refused service orders by adopting puerile hide-and-seek tactics, not to mention his trademark playing to the gallery as a putative victim of mythical forces that do not wish our nation well. Only the guilty run when nobody is pursuing them.

Predictably, Nuhu Ribadu’s latest  shenanigans have sent his horde of cynical apologists into a frenzy of contrived indignation. Discarding any semblance of rationality and good judgment, they feebly and unconvincingly put out narratives about the man’s supposed heroism as a “dogged” and determined anti-corruption fighter even when the grim evidence at our disposal does paint an entirely different picture.

Nigerians must learn to rise above the orchestrated cacophony of deceit around the former head of the EFCC. Nuhu Ribadu is no hero. He is a fraud – a masquerade who has so efficiently, if sinisterly exploited Nigerians’ hunger for a sane, corruption-averse society in order to perpetrate unpardonable crimes against Nigeria and its democratic project. Fresh revelations by the EFCC would seem to confirm our stand in that regard. We will get back to them in a short while. For now, let me add this note of emphasis on the Ribadu phenomenon of brazen impunity which has become an abiding cautionary tale on how not to fight corruption in Nigeria.

 Earlier, I did mention the case of the ex-governors’ missing files. What could possibly inform the decision of the former EFCC chairman to cart away or have sensitive files destroyed following his deserved sacking? Discerning observers like this one have watched the man closely enough to be able to venture the following explanation: It is in the man's character to behave in the manner being suggested.. What must be seen as an unconscionable attempt to tamper with evidence could also very well be influenced by Ribadu's pathological need to create a false aura of indispensability around his person. By deliberately removing those files, he knows very well that the criminal gesture is bound to create (temporary) obstacles in the way of the new staff at the EFCC. A conceivably halting, if initially unsure start on the part of his successor regarding inherited investigations will provoke cynicism and suspicion in the minds of the unsuspecting who, sooner than later, will start entertaining nostalgia about the Ribadu era. On the other hand, it could be a dumb (?) way to tell the individuals he was set-upon by his political master that he played the Ribadu equivalent of a deus ex machina by performing abracadabra on their files. Nuhu will thus be a hero once again, except that this time around, his heroism will be for an exclusive club of powerful and potentially dangerous men. Just like our poor Ribadu.

It has been reported in this week’s local Nigerian press that the EFCC is alleging, amongst other damning transgressions, that while he was still the chairman of the EFCC, Nuhu Ribadu bought at least four houses for himself at choice locations in Abuja, Dubai and Britain! “ A senior official in the agency indentified the properties acquired by Ribadu to include the house at No 18, Mambilla Street, off Udi Hills Street, Maitama; a flat at Palm Beach estate, Dubai; and another property at 29, Kingsway, Leeds in the United Kingdom. The official could not however ascertain the address of the Chelsea property that Ribadu allegedly bought “, read a quote from the online edition of Daily Trust. Other sins of Ribadu include the non-declaration of his assets and the questionable disposal of items confiscated from criminals, etc.

These are serious accusations. What is now assuming the profile of a huge scandal involving the former EFCC chairperson must not be swept under the carpet. The various Nigeria-related media outfits, whether they are based in our dear fatherland or in the diaspora, should not be seen as having sacred cows in the struggle to expose corrupt activities involving the country’s government officials. The more shrill ones in particular cannot afford to downplay the gravity of this unfolding drama. As for the likes of Gani Fawehinmi and his cast of fellow pro-Ribadu yes-men, they should by now be asking for the head of their idol . Our hearts bleed for Nigeria.

I’d like to end this analysis by touching on the reported removal of Nuhu Ribadu last Saturday from the graduation ceremony at the  NIPSS, Kuru. The rather clumsy way the Yar'Adua regime has handled this needless’ wahala’ is a potent statement about the competence (or lack of it) of the people at the presidency. That the federal government is said to have ordered that Nuhu Ribadu's NIPSS certificate be given to him should only be seen as part of a process of doing things the right way. The next step will consist of challenging Ribadu’s ill-advised court case against the government. This will hopefully be followed by his firing from the police force. Nuhu Ribadu’s insubordination and mischief are bad for the force. The Yar’Adua administration should not be seen as encouraging indiscipline within the ranks of  our uniformed men and women. The man’s dismissal is long overdue.

Aonduna Tondu

New York

Robot  Villager

# 1 NUHU RIBADU’S INSUBORDINATION: ONLY THE GUILTY RUN WHEN NOBODY IS PURSUING THEM The picture is getting much clearer by the day as to the principal motive behind the deafening barrage of noises one has been subjected to of lateby the media-savvy and egregiously manipulative former EFCC boss and his cheering foot-soldiers. In what must be seen as a troubling development, the EFCC under the chairmanship of Mrs. Waziri is alleging, with the appropriate documentation at its disposal, it would seem, that the erstwhile EFCC boss failed to handover properly when he was relieved of his commission. Nuhu Ribadu only left a three-page handover note with Mr. Lamorde, his immediate successor (in acting capacity) at the EFCC. The EFCC has stated that some case files involving investigations of former governors suspected of involvement in corrupt practices did develop wings and mysteriously disappeared under Ribadu’s w...Read the full article. Posted by Robot| 26.11.2008 00:37

Dapxin  Villager

# 2 Some writeups are not meant to be read... Not because one cannot learn from dissenting entities but because the hopelessness of their argument oozes repete from their...Ahem! mere title... -->check, "only the guilty run when nobody is pursuing them" Gash! so Tosh! Enjoy your dinner with the grainy-heads... Posted by Dapxin| 26.11.2008 00:41

ttonjo  Villager

# 3 Nuhu Ribadu's Insubordination : Only The Guilty Run When Nobody Is Pursuing Them So you have now declared him, Nuhu Ribadu, guilty, according to the title of your article. What a shame! What happen to the bedrock of the law: 'Innocent until proven guilty?' Can you listen to yourself? Nigerians must learn to rise above the orchestrated cacophony of deceit around the former head of the EFCC. Nuhu Ribadu is no hero. He is a fraud – a masquerade who has so efficiently, if sinisterly exploited Nigerians’ hunger for a sane, corruption-averse society in order to perpetrate unpardonable crimes against Nigeria and its democratic project. Oh yes, Ribadu is no hero, as far as you are concerned, he is no saint either. But there is one thing that no one could take away from him, not even you with your wish wash write up. (Nuhu Ribadu, shall always remain a HERO) in the mind of majority of Nigerians. He came! He saw! He was about to conquer, but you and your corrupt paymasters did not allow him to rid Nigeria of its shame.....CORRUPTION. At least he tried. He's a human being. No one is perfect. Oh yes, we the supporters of Nuhu Ribadu, knew that anyway. Now, show me any Nigerian who came close to what Nuhu Ribadu, did about fighting the evil shame called corruption in Nigerian society today? Predictably, Nuhu Ribadu’s latest shenanigans have sent his horde of cynical apologists into a frenzy of contrived indignation. Discarding any semblance of rationality and good judgment, they feebly and unconvincingly put out narratives about the man’s supposed heroism as a “dogged” and determined anti-corruption fighter even when the grim evidence at our disposal does paint an entirely different picture. You even have the audacity to criticize some of us who are on the side of someone who was trying to restore sanity back into the Nigerian society. How dare you? Will you please go back to your corrupt paymasters that we are not amuse nor convince with their latest propaganda.:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::p:p:p:D:D:D Posted by ttonjo| 26.11.2008 01:26

Ukpana Okpoko Gbulu  Villager

# 4 First thought on your write up is "Enjoy your pay" I am sure you have been well "settled" Posted by Ukpana Okpoko Gbulu| 26.11.2008 02:26

chiagozie  JJC

# 5 My friend, na wetin dey worri u sef? e bi like say u no no wetin to tuk about again? see eeh, we sabi who Ribadu bi. who sabi u? I sure sey na som of dos people wey wan distroy the fine boy hire u make come experiment ur unknowledge hia. see, make i educate u small, Ribadu na corret guy. at least im no chop clean mouth like all those people wey u bin wan defend.eeh eeh now, no bi all the governors dem wey walos our oil money im bin dey pursue? no im job im dey do. Me personally no believe all dos yarns sey OBJ dey use am work, abi if governor or minister no get skeleton for cupboard how Nuhu go catch, remember sey Ngige the Great also visit Ribadu and im comot that same day. abi im no bi gov? na only chima and co bin dey government? afterall, Nuhu save us from the great evils wey Odili and im brother contenders personify. I no Yaradua own, but i like im style. no bi everything a whole presido go dey put im hallowed nose for. don ever hear sey Bushman comment on small small mata wey others suppose handle. I no com understand d kin oyibo land wey una dey live dis days,ahaha!some of una no know wetin dey hia again. Eho tell u sey we no sabi who bi thief and who bi olopa 4 Naija. Make i just tell u, fin out who steal money and who wan collect am back b4 u jump go braek leg for conclusion valley. das all Posted by chiagozie| 26.11.2008 02:29

employlawone  Villager

# 6 Dear Sir, I am all for vigourous debate and analysis based on facts figures deviod of emotions, but not when the article contains slander and defamation. For whatever reason you have reduced your animosity to Ribadu and his 'yes men and women' to these and It is advisable that you read with uttermost carethe letter below and with care retrace some of your allegations made in a public space. As a well meaning fellow Nigeria I must state that the repeat of libelous statement cannot and will not excuse you from the reperccusions of such. Charles Musa & Co. Legal Practitioners, Arbitrators & Notary Public 49 Lawson Street, Onikan, Lagos. 25th November, 2008 Refutation of EFCC’s Baseless claim on Ribadu’s properties Our attention has been drawn to wide media coverage in a number of publications suggesting that Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, as Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), bought and owned houses in Dubai, the United Kingdom, and Nigeria. According to the publications, the leadership of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) also said, through its publicity office, that it has commenced investigations on Ribadu, based on “several petitions against Ribadu, which are being investigated at the moment.” The EFCC also claimed that Mr. Ribadu did not declare his assets as EFCC Chairman before and after leaving office. In its five-year existence, the EFCC has garnered a lot of local and international esteem on account of its sterling reputation for dogged investigation and efficient prosecution records. Thus, for this reason, one would expect such an institution to show more fidelity for evidence and facts in other to protect its name, its sense of honour, and the competence of its leadership. Apparently, these shaping values have little meaning to the current incarnation of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). For the records, however, here are the facts: Mr. Ribadu states categorically today, as he did late last year when this same baseless rumour was advertised by these same forces, that: 1. He DOES NOT own houses in Abuja, Dubai, the U.K or any other part of the world, other than his personal house built in his village in Yola back in the early 1990s; 2. Mr. Ribadu owns a yet-to-be-developed plot of land in Katampe, an undeveloped district of Abuja, which was acquired in 1998; 3. Apart from his official salary account, Mr. Ribadu does not operate a bank account anywhere else in the world; 4. He has dutifully sworn to oaths declaring his assert when he was appointed Chairman, and is in the process now of declaring his assets after the completion of his course at Kuru. Again, he urges the Commission in all its evident enthusiasm to proceed with the basic tenets of investigation of careful rather than tendentious scrutiny. 5. Regarding his official residence which has again being mischievously listed as a house he bought, here are the facts: When the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), this is the in line with the policy of the last administration, offered for sale along with other houses in the area, Mr. Ribadu could not muster the funds to purchase the said house. However, sensitive to the possibility of a conflict of interest arising if he approached banks for a loan, given his position as EFCC Chairman, Ribadu nearly lost the house until his father-in-law, Professor Iya Abubakar, intervened. It was the Professor who bid for the house at a public auction and took a facility from his bankers, Fidelity Bank, to purchase the house, which cost N44m. As it is, Mr. Ribadu and his family are currently living in the Mambilla Street house, thanks to his father-in-law. All records pertaining to this transaction are available at the FCDA for anyone who wishes to check. 6. Since the Commission and its sponsors seem driven to conclusions without the care of preambles, Mr. Ribadu hereby grants express permission to the EFCC or anyone who finds that he has assets other than those he declared before the Code of Conduct Bureau when he assumed office in 2003, to seize them without further reference to him; Last word: Mr. Ribadu is naturally saddened that an institution in which he worked earnestly and professionally with many patriotic colleagues seem eager to seek alliance with methods perfected by enemies of the anti-corruption war. He looks forward to a return to sobriety and professionalism at the Commission. Signed Charles Musa Esq., LL.M, B.L, MCI. Arb Posted by employlawone| 26.11.2008 04:53

nijalaw  Villager

# 7 The writer of this article is well known to be an ardent supporter of lame duck Waziri & Ruse of Law Aondakaa for obvious reasons. Ribadus pluses were greater than his minuses & his shoes are difficult to fill. The EFCC & Police are busy pulling him down while the nations treasuries are being looted by Political clowns & insecurity is having a field day. This nation is at an all time low. Posted by nijalaw| 26.11.2008 05:03

SOC Okenwa  Villager

# 8 Tondu has not hidden his apparent dislike for the Ribadu gut. He has maintained his stance even when every other persons are united in his support. That is what makes a man of conviction. In the article under reference above he was unmistakable in his conclusions. For me I think Tondu is making some sense. The confusion sorrounding the Ribadu saga and the horde of 'friends' including Fawehinmi and Falana and some media houses defending his cause makes it difficult for one to appreciate the truth from unbiased quarters. The Ribadu conundrum must be demystified for what it truly is: insurbodination, crass arrogance and pomposity. It is high time this dude was dismissed from the Police Force. Playing victim at every opportunity must be denounced! Posted by SOC Okenwa| 26.11.2008 05:41

Dewdrops  Villager

# 9 One more article about Ribadu and ammo puke! Good morning America! Posted by Dewdrops| 26.11.2008 05:47

me2gojoin  JJC

# 10 Gentleman, I take it that this reflects the quality of your personality so would not bother to adjust a cast mind. Without prejudice, your name sounds like one from the AGF/EFCC Chair's area to suggest you are 'hired' but let that not be the object of this response in the event that I might be wrong. If your conscience permit this write-up about the realities you see, hear, and live with in this country then I wonder if this generation has a future with people like you lurking as genuine citizens. TAKE NOTE THAT RIBADU is a HERO and Nigeria MUST overcome the likes of compromised humans living in your kind of skin. Good Luck! Posted by me2gojoin| 26.11.2008 05:54

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