The saying “What the eye doesn’t see, the heart doesn’t grieve over” is an old saying of the wise in English language. In routine usage it is in common circulation amongst lovers in the nest of emotional interaction. As long as a lover is not aware that he or she is being cheated upon by the counterpart, the heart would not grieve. Therefore, most lovers would just not want to know as long as the feeling of love remains true to its nature of barren purity.

It is precisely on this basis that lovers, admirers and objective observers of the activities of Chairman Nuhu Ribadu in the past few years and months will have much, not only to grieve but also to bleed over if the reputation of this young courageous man has indeed been compromised.

NigerianNews has been placed on alert in ample time and by several reliable sources many months ago, that a huge dossier has long been prepared on Nuhu Ribadu that houses a can of worms. Since this information can by and large, only qualify as a rumor, which authenticity can hardly be verified at a snap, NigerianNews opted to steer clear of reporting any such story. Amongst professionals in journalistic circles though, the rumor has long persisted with all tenacity. Sources are usually such quarters as can hardly be characterized as friendly disposed to the cause and person of Nuhu Ribadu. The question however, has never been whether or not there is truly any such dossier in existence or if there is any truth to the content of any such dossier, but when the dossier itself will be finally blown open to see the light of day.

Even though no one who is not an insider to the sinister or patriotic ploy (as the case may be) would know the precise content of this dossier, it may be safe to assume that recent events unfolding in the corridors of jurisprudence provide a hint of things to come by way of any imaginary or real Ribadu-dossier. A team of legal practitioners has been reported to have prayed an Abuja High Court Judge to mandate the investigation of the private financial capacity of the man Nuhu Ribadu in the face of incompatible ownership of a villa in Dubai and a house in Abuja (all valuing millions of dollars).

The issue remains particularly disturbing in view of the potentially damaging impact such information is bound to have not only on the image of the man Nuhu Ribadu but also on the long-drawn fight against corruption led by him and his EFCC on several Nigerian battlefronts.

Funnily, no point of substance can be made on Ribadu today, without reference to his previous boss and ‘discoverer’ Olusegun Obasanjo. It should be recalled that one minor segment of vocal and badly embittered critics of the ex-President are those people who seem to know him at close range with a better insight at the running of Aso Rock during the tenure of the former General.

Their one-sided focus mainly on hypocrisy and deceit in the activities of Olusegun Obasanjo has most often, always left observers like me furious at the shortage of some sense of objectivity. But this camp has always been resilient in hammering home some credible points of the ex-President’s hilarious and ludicrous acquisition of unspeakable wealth within a short pace of time. While the neutral observer sought to have emphasis equally placed on failures and achievements as they related to the ex-President, such critics as were close to the crux of Presidential activities at the time understandably remained bitter at what they claim to have seen of systematic looting by the ex-President and were therefore, not prepared to acknowledge anything positive in the semblance of achievement. But chains of milestone achievements the ex-President does have in his favor.

The ultimate result however, is currently, a badly dented image of a beleaguered ex-President. While foreign debt repayment, satellite launch, bank reform, telecommunication breakthrough etc. count in favor of the former President, ownership of a big university with unexplained source of finance, expanded commercial empire of enterprises with unknown financial sources in addition to alleged questionable financial interests in several commercial entities credibly count against the ex-President until judicially resolved for good.

Precisely this route is the envisaged path that the author(s) of some Ribadu dossier intend to tow. In a recent discourse, I remember warning of days to come that will bear witness to accusations flying wildly Ribadu’s way. It did not require a sage to smell the plot. Ribadu will very soon stand on the dock of public conscience standing accused of corruption in dimensions ever unheard of. No doubt such perpetrators will stand out like those alleged insiders of Presidential conduct in the days of Olusegun Obasanjo claiming to be aware of Ribadu’s hypocrisy as a tangible reason for stubbornly refusing to credit him with any worthy success.

Even though it cannot be discounted that the EFCC as a body may have operated with a great deal of imperfection if not outright thievery perpetrated among the ranks, it may sound too simplistic to lodge all misdeeds of an entire commission squarely at the feet of a Chairman. Information now abounds that the EFCC suddenly surged into a position of extreme preference for the ranks of the police force with very many officers suddenly wanting to serve at the EFCC. This alone no doubt, smells of some skeleton in the closet.

Even though history is fortunately, unemotional and will credit Nuhu Ribadu with his courageous and daring stride in marking a huge thaw on the stiff ice of some endemic corruption, something will surely stick in this equally daring campaign against the wave of public sympathy for an imperfect, young and inspiring Ribadu.

He it was, who remarked that corruption has its own way of fighting back if you fight it too hard. But that was mere rhetoric. What the eye doesn’t see, the heart will surely, not grieve over. True or untrue, an allegation remains an allegation until completely dispelled. Once heard by the public, something must be done.

There is no doubt, that Nuhu Ribadu can never in his life, have earned millions of dollars as a senior Nigerian Police Officer to buy a house in Abuja to say the least of a villa in Dubai. If this were not brought to the public’s attention, no heart would grieve. As soon as this accusation sees the light of day though, nothing short of absolute clearance will address the impending damage.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives Mr. Bankole gave a shining example lately on how to confront mongers of mischievous rumors. It sounded clear and irrefutable when the rumor became public information that the Speaker did not serve in the NYSC (as if that mattered to the discharge of his duties though). I was one of those who expressed personal fascination at the depth of sound investigations some Nigerian media houses were now capable of expediting. When the Speaker finally emerged however, to release his photo as a corper in his days as well as furnish a pictured copy of his certificate of discharge, I finally learnt to take any investigation associated with Nigerian public figures with a pinch of salt.

Even though no accusation should be dismissed with a wave of the hand, extreme caution should however, be exercised in good faith, in digesting the volume and intensity of accusations that may fly Ribadu’s ways in the days ahead. If such serious charges turn out to be true, nothing will be able to subvert veracity. If not – as one good friend of mine puts it – such perpetrators should bear in mind that they will surely answer up to the living God when their time is due!

Many are Ribadu’s enemies – born of envy and anger. Envy at rapid promotion above some ranks and anger at being exposed in the cage of corruption. At the center of all these scenarios is the bared inefficiency of the serving President who was obviously unable to make a crafty move with the sophistication of at least appearing to contain Ribadu – no matter the differences – at least for the sake of governmental expediency! Today, we reap scorn and suspicion from beyond the borders of our land for the mismanaged project of backdoor appeasement. The conclusion is anyone’s guess.

But if Nuhu Ribadu finally turns out to have been corrupt however, then let it be on record that many hearts will be broken. History may still remain fair and balanced on him. Posterity will not.

Robot  Villager

# 1 var sbtitle4370=encodeURIComponent(What if Rib...Read the full article. Posted by Robot| 11.01.2008 21:51

giafaleye  JJC

# 2 This is a good write up. Pls keep it up. But just know that it's no news that Ribadu is compromised. The latest is the petition sent to the President by a chartered Accountant who worked for EFCC from 2003 to 2005 alledging that Ribadu soiled his hand by refusing to bringing to book some big oil companies that has duped the Nation of millions of dollars. You know money could make one to be very arrogant, no wonder the 'bobo' is proud and arrogant. Posted by giafaleye| 12.01.2008 07:15

aguabata  Villager

# 3 let me update you with EFCC's official stance on the matter. 1. Ribadu has a plot of land outskirts of Abuja 2. Ribadu's father in law bought his official residence during monetisation. 3. Ribadu still lives in that property. 4. Ribadu has a house and unspecified number of cows in the village. My own stance is that Ribadu's father-in-law should not be allowed to participate in a bid for a house owned by the Nigerian Police Force. Posted by aguabata| 12.01.2008 10:13

omo naija  Villager

# 4 While i may have admired Ribadu determination to deal with corruption in Nigeria, he's just a man, and he's not perfect, i lost faith in him when he pursued Baba Iyabo (OBJ) enemies, both real and perceived with such rigour, and left OBJ friends alone like a sacred cow (Bode George and co) that is when i knew the man has been compromised, i wished him well and i pray the allegations against him turn out to be false, but he's not perfect. "OBASANJO NA WAYO HiM DEY. AND ALL OF DE TIME" (Fela Anikulapo Kuti). Frisky whether you like it or not Obasanjo, is worst than IBB and even Abacha, when corruption is mentioned. MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS NIGERIA AND AFRICA, AND HAVE MERCY ON THE TROUBLED CONTINENT, AMEN. Posted by omo naija| 12.01.2008 11:43

Paradisevog  Villager

# 5 I agree with aguobata. Ribadu used his father in law to bid for him. But that does not mean he is corrupt. He said they took a loan for the house. It was not a gift. May be it is wrong morally. But objectively it is still within correct borders. They are saying that he was not called to bar. I think they are only out to get him. We will also hear many more things as time goes on as Frisky Larr said. Posted by Paradisevog| 12.01.2008 11:45

ezyvic  Villager

# 6 So much has been said and many many more will be said. I just wonder where all the accusations are emanating from. Where were they in the last months and years to challenge the moral and ethical practices of Nuhu Ribadu. The two lawyers seeking an investigation into Ribadu's past, present and future, who are they, who and what do they represent? I weep for my country when evil men parade like saints, seeking to pull down legacies. The oil companies, banks, State governments, Local governments, etc would testify to how much sanity has been inculcated into the system by the Ribadu led EFCC. The oil companies have been having a free deal, same goes for other sectors, where bribery was a norm to have things done. The gas flaring episode is a case in question, where the HoR was made to stand up for compensations in court, with the support of EFCC. It truly pains when a balanced critique is never carried out before judgments are passed. Nigerians are quite terrible with history and would keep carrying out the same mistake over and over again. The socio-political-economic terrain is never put to down as a template when arguments are put up. A country where the political will to fight corruption, poverty and crime (in order of importance to me) cannot stand up to seek change, no matter how prayerful and miraculously inclined we are. The politics played out between 1999-2003 and between 2003-2007 exposed every sides of our country since independence. From the coup claims to the sharia menace, gross looting, power balance, religious intolerance, air crashes, National I.D card scheme and its fraud, election violence, amongst others. Today, those events in the last eight years could be evaluated and segmented, and the timing would obviously confirm that the total decay and collapse of infrastructures and facilities came to its peak in the latter part of those years. It was obvious that the reforms carried out afterwards were necessary, but carried out with bad intent (self enrichment). How much could the EFCC have done in those green year, when it was still seeking 'milk from its mother' (legal and financial) to stay afloat. Well, I believe the Commission could have been compromised in its early years, just like its terms of reference dictated. Again, those who were said to have been protected are gradually getting into the commission's web, what do we have, the political will is neither assertive nor inspiring. The election of 2007 was said to be amongst the worst ever, and Nigerians were quick to accept defeat, running back into their shells, rather than stand up to ensure woeful continuity is drowned. Billions of dollars that were looted have been recovered by the EFCC, but, how do we ensure such structures that encourage looting and fraud is dealt with. Every sector in our great country stinks of massive corruption. From the sports (where officials travel with their entire families on government funding), to health (where drugs bought with tax payers money meant to be dispensed or sold at subsidies rate are out in pharmacy stores at exorbitant prices) to even Roads and Housing contracts being pushed up to roof top prices to ensure the 'cake' is big and juicy. We all live with this situation, see it as a norm, and get disappointed when one of ours get into government and does otherwise. We look for an excuse to transfer the frustration of our stunted growth and its peak era of exposed misdeeds (2003-2007) and blame it on the only man who dared where others failed. I suggest we look towards the ICPC for a change, after all its been there before the EFCC and measure its success rate. Posted by ezyvic| 12.01.2008 13:16

RAYNOSA  Villager

# 7 One question i wish to ask is why now. Even if he has those properties as claimed does it make the allegation levied against those thieves false. You can imagine that 419 kingpin Dr Chief Thief NWUDE making claims that EFCC confisticate some of his properties that he acqired from his dubious business.He was lucky he was not sent to Brazil to serve his terms. Also look at Ex gov of Edo state Lucky Igbinedion giving condition for return to answer for his crime. I wonder why we tend to do tings the opposite way in Nigeria Posted by RAYNOSA| 12.01.2008 15:16

K_Station  Villager

# 8 =ezyvic;4294979314>So much has been said and many many more will be said. I just wonder where all the accusations are emanating from. Where were they in the last months and years to challenge the moral and ethical practices of Nuhu Ribadu. The two lawyers seeking an investigation into Ribadu's past, present and future, who are they, who and what do they represent? I weep for my country when evil men parade like saints, seeking to pull down legacies. The oil companies, banks, State governments, Local governments, etc would testify to how much sanity has been inculcated into the system by the Ribadu led EFCC. The oil companies have been having a free deal, same goes for other sectors, where bribery was a norm to have things done. The gas flaring episode is a case in question, where the HoR was made to stand up for compensations in court, with the support of EFCC. It truly pains when a balanced critique is never carried out before judgments are passed. Nigerians are quite terrible with history and would keep carrying out the same mistake over and over again. The socio-political-economic terrain is never put to down as a template when arguments are put up. A country where the political will to fight corruption, poverty and crime (in order of importance to me) cannot stand up to seek change, no matter how prayerful and miraculously inclined we are. The politics played out between 1999-2003 and between 2003-2007 exposed every sides of our country since independence. From the coup claims to the sharia menace, gross looting, power balance, religious intolerance, air crashes, National I.D card scheme and its fraud, election violence, amongst others. Today, those events in the last eight years could be evaluated and segmented, and the timing would obviously confirm that the total decay and collapse of infrastructures and facilities came to its peak in the latter part of those years. It was obvious that the reforms carried out afterwards were necessary, but carried out with bad intent (self enrichment). How much could the EFCC have done in those green year, when it was still seeking 'milk from its mother' (legal and financial) to stay afloat. Well, I believe the Commission could have been compromised in its early years, just like its terms of reference dictated. Again, those who were said to have been protected are gradually getting into the commission's web, what do we have, the political will is neither assertive nor inspiring. The election of 2007 was said to be amongst the worst ever, and Nigerians were quick to accept defeat, running back into their shells, rather than stand up to ensure woeful continuity is drowned. Billions of dollars that were looted have been recovered by the EFCC, but, how do we ensure such structures that encourage looting and fraud is dealt with. Every sector in our great country stinks of massive corruption. From the sports (where officials travel with their entire families on government funding), to health (where drugs bought with tax payers money meant to be dispensed or sold at subsidies rate are out in pharmacy stores at exorbitant prices) to even Roads and Housing contracts being pushed up to roof top prices to ensure the 'cake' is big and juicy. We all live with this situation, see it as a norm, and get disappointed when one of ours get into government and does otherwise. We look for an excuse to transfer the frustration of our stunted growth and its peak era of exposed misdeeds (2003-2007) and blame it on the only man who dared where others failed. I suggest we look towards the ICPC for a change, after all its been there before the EFCC and measure its success rate. ......and the Nigerian Police too! Thank you Ezyvic, nice comment. Posted by K_Station| 12.01.2008 19:59

Gladiator  Villager

# 9 =giafaleye;4294979266>This is a good write up. Pls keep it up. But just know that it's no news that Ribadu is compromised. The latest is the petition sent to the President by a chartered Accountant who worked for EFCC from 2003 to 2005 alledging that Ribadu soiled his hand by refusing to bringing to book some big oil companies that has duped the Nation of millions of dollars. You know money could make one to be very arrogant, no wonder the 'bobo' is proud and arrogant. This piece seems to have brought all-sorts from out of the woodwork. If that was the objective then mission accomplished! Other than that, the question is why now? The odium of illegitimacy that hangs over the ill-sponsored Yar'adua administration, together with the critical stage of on-going EFCC investigations and prosecutions, juxtaposed with the timing of the sudden (and some would argue illegal) redeployment of Ribadu (for better or for worse) dictates that the essence of this article is a very, very long way down on the list of relevant and critical questions that need to be asked and answered at this time. Period. Posted by Gladiator| 12.01.2008 20:43

Paradisevog  Villager

# 10 =Gladiator;4294979377>This piece seems to have brought all-sorts from out of the woodwork. If that was the objective then mission accomplished! Other than that, the question is why now? The odium of illegitimacy that hangs over the ill-sponsored Yar'adua administration, together with the critical stage of on-going EFCC investigations and prosecutions, juxtaposed with the timing of the sudden (and some would argue illegal) redeployment of Ribadu (for better or for worse) dictates that the essence of this article is a very, very long way down on the list of relevant and critical questions that need to be asked and answered at this time. Period. Why dont u ask the questions and let us reason together? Methink the article is right on track. It warns people against taking the accusations too serious while at the same time, it should not be dismissed altogether. It warns that Ribadu may not have been perfect and that the EFCC may have some corrupt elements in it but there is a massive movement now to discredit Ribadu. Reading between the lines, you will sense the authors frustration at the powers dominating today. I think it is a good work. Posted by Paradisevog| 13.01.2008 00:48

---

The conversation continues in our forum. Click here to read all comments

---