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A nearly embarrassing situation for Nigerian Lawyers Association, NLA,in New York was ave...Read the full article.

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I support Nuhu Ribadu's actions because goig by the way the AGF is attacking EFCC with lots of theatricals, Nigeria have been spared another embarassing situation. I believe Aandokaa would have seized the oppurtunity to hit out at Ribadu like he has been doing since he assumed power as the AGF. Ribadu's decision not to attend the conference was well intentioned and a good politiking strategy.

Imagine EFCC being told to apologise to Orji Kalu, what kind of an embarassment to justice and uplifment of corruption is that.

It is very obvious that the AGF is bent on settling scores with Ribadu, if he has any misgivings about the personality then there are ways of doing that and not attacking the agency the man is handling, the only so far that has come near to fighting that cancer we have called corruption.

I am suprised that our judiciary which has of late come to their senses is going ashtray again

Ribadu, know it that I am among the many Nigerians praying for you and believe strongly in what you are doing whether they consider it partial or not, you can't win them all.

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Hello

I feel that the decision of Ribadu not to honour the invitation isnt justified.
The EFCC Chairman could have avail himself that medium to let the whole world know what actually is going on.If he feels the AGF is constituting a Clog in the wheel of the fight against corruption.I am very sure that is what the NLA expected.I would have love the Scenario.:sad:

There is no denying the fact that if truth be told,there is a need to fight corruption within the confines of the law.If the provisions of the law is not allowing a smooth prosecution of corrupt people,then we know that our law,the constitution and legislation are due for amendment.:neutral:

Thanks.
Yours Sincerely.

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"Lagos-based lawyer, Chief Gani Fawehinmi (SAN), has called for the sack of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Michael Aond-oakaa, over the minister’s frosty relationship with the Economic and Financial Crimes Comm-ission (EFCC)"... THISDAY


"In a bizarre twist, Nigeria's Attorney General, Michael Andoakaa, whose office should be seeking Lawal's extradition, was on hand lend official imprimatur to the fugitive's so-called "honor."

In 1999, Nuhu Ribadu, who was then an Assistant Police Commissioner (ASP), brought a case to a Lagos High Court against a group of alleged oil block thieves. Shortly after the institution of the case, its highly connected suspects reportedly bribed both the then Inspector General of Police and the Attorney General of the Federation to intervene by 'killing' the case.
The main suspect, Mr. Kase Lawal –who holds dual Nigerian and US citizenship-, fled the country, leaving behind his staff members led by one Mr. Osahon to face the music.

The then Attorney General moved swiftly to quash the case by claiming that only the office of the Attorney General of the federation was empowered to initiate prosecution against criminals. Despite this move, Ribadu would not give up. The case became a subject of protracted litigation known as Osahon V. FGN (Federal Government of Nigeria). The case tested the power of the police and other security agencies to initiate criminal prosecution. While the Attorney General who provided the basis for the challenge of the Osahon group carried the day at the High Court and the Appellate Court, the Supreme Court in 2006 ruled that the police and other security agencies could initiate criminal proceedings without express permission from the AGF's office effectively empowering the police to prosecute Kase Lawal and co for their crimes.

It was a sort of curious coincidence that some of the principal characters in that landmark case were designed to meet Sept. 15 in an event organized by the Nigerian Lawyers Association (NLA) at the Crown Plaza Hotel in New York.

The event honored the same Mr. Kase Lawal who is considered a fugitive from law as an arrest warrant was issued by the High Court in Lagos against him in 1999... Principally, EFCC sources told Saharareporters that upon proper background check on Mr. Kase Lawal, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) found out that Mr. Kase Lawal was part of the Osahon group that Nuhu Ribadu, as an Assistant Commissioner of Police had tried to prosecute in 1999 against all pressures. They contend that it was therefore improper for Ribadu to attend a forum honoring Kase Lawal, who had escaped from Nigeria in 1999/2000 after he and others were charged for stealing an oil well...
SAHARAREPORTERS

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That was a facesaving u-turn on the part of Ribadu.He knew for sure that he would have presented a misfit of himself and his maloriented EFCC.It is no longer news the world over that the anti-graft body he led emmersed itself into shaddy political deeds of Obasanjo,the 2 time most corrupt head of State/President of Nigeria.He had absolutely nothing to present to a gathering of learned gentlemen practicing in the most advanced democracy of the world.He would have been lost on the issue of fighting corruption within the confines of the Law.He lawlessly served under a crude and lawless master.He is infected with the anticidents of Olusegun Aremu Obasanjo.

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Suddenly, Sowore is a pillar of credibility? Read this:

"Shortly after the institution of the case, its highly connected suspects reportedly bribed both the then Inspector General of Police and the Attorney General of the Federation to intervene by 'killing' the case."

How wantonly irresponsible is this statement? And where has each of Sowore and Ribadu been since 1999 when the warranrt was reportedly issued? Did anyone in this Village hear of this so-called warrant before now?

Sowore is the quintessential nothing-to-lose non-reporter. By the active aid and support of Ribadu, they would cavalierly smear otherwise worthy individuals. Maybe Sowore's sources within the all-too-good EFCC can tell us the Oracle's reason for looking the other way on Uba, etc.

Free Publius

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Thank you 126 Soldier,

It is clear Ribadu was looking for a way to explain his inexplicable absence. And what would it matter to him to malign the man honored...just to save his own skin...typical OBJ-like behavior...

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=edoji;2090118>"Lagos-based lawyer, Chief Gani Fawehinmi (SAN), has called for the sack of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Michael Aond-oakaa, over the minister’s frosty relationship with the Economic and Financial Crimes Comm-ission (EFCC)"... THISDAY


"In a bizarre twist, Nigeria's Attorney General, Michael Andoakaa, whose office should be seeking Lawal's extradition, was on hand lend official imprimatur to the fugitive's so-called "honor."

In 1999, Nuhu Ribadu, who was then an Assistant Police Commissioner (ASP), brought a case to a Lagos High Court against a group of alleged oil block thieves. Shortly after the institution of the case, its highly connected suspects reportedly bribed both the then Inspector General of Police and the Attorney General of the Federation to intervene by 'killing' the case.
The main suspect, Mr. Kase Lawal –who holds dual Nigerian and US citizenship-, fled the country, leaving behind his staff members led by one Mr. Osahon to face the music.

The then Attorney General moved swiftly to quash the case by claiming that only the office of the Attorney General of the federation was empowered to initiate prosecution against criminals. Despite this move, Ribadu would not give up. The case became a subject of protracted litigation known as Osahon V. FGN (Federal Government of Nigeria). The case tested the power of the police and other security agencies to initiate criminal prosecution. While the Attorney General who provided the basis for the challenge of the Osahon group carried the day at the High Court and the Appellate Court, the Supreme Court in 2006 ruled that the police and other security agencies could initiate criminal proceedings without express permission from the AGF's office effectively empowering the police to prosecute Kase Lawal and co for their crimes.

It was a sort of curious coincidence that some of the principal characters in that landmark case were designed to meet Sept. 15 in an event organized by the Nigerian Lawyers Association (NLA) at the Crown Plaza Hotel in New York.

The event honored the same Mr. Kase Lawal who is considered a fugitive from law as an arrest warrant was issued by the High Court in Lagos against him in 1999... Principally, EFCC sources told Saharareporters that upon proper background check on Mr. Kase Lawal, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) found out that Mr. Kase Lawal was part of the Osahon group that Nuhu Ribadu, as an Assistant Commissioner of Police had tried to prosecute in 1999 against all pressures. They contend that it was therefore improper for Ribadu to attend a forum honoring Kase Lawal, who had escaped from Nigeria in 1999/2000 after he and others were charged for stealing an oil well...
SAHARAREPORTERS

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The Sahara Report above is sufficient reason for the decision made by Ribadu. There is potential risk that the man could be poisoned by those who are not happy with his war on corruption. Remember how Idiagbon died? It was at a dinner. Of course, the presence of the #1 law officer who is supposed to work with EFCC in the fight against, but hid behind legal process to obstruct justice is another good reason. Let face it Mr Ribadu's work is not easy. The man should be careful where he threads.

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Law is for all-time a noble profession but it appears some of the people practising it are not that noble! How could the Lawyers Association identify itself with someone that has fled Nigeria to escape justice? Yes, the lawyers may argue that the man has not been charged or convicted of any offence and so is still deemed innocent. But this would be missing the point. If the so-called oil magnate were innocent, why did he flee? The guilty are usually afraid.

With regard to Ribadu I think he was very prudent in eventually declining the role he had earlier agreed to play in the lawyers' event. Every other reasonable person would have done the same in the light of the fact that Ribadu is now the underdog in the battle between him and the AG; any exacerbation of the trouble, which was very likely had the two men met in the US, would have been in the main very embarrassing for Ribadu. The US summit is not the right venue for the two men to begin to exchange tantrums on the stand of each of them in the fight against corruption.

If the Lawyers Association is expressing disappoint over Ribadu's absence in spite of this ugly development between Ribadu and the AG, then that would be unfortunate on the part of the Association. We should always learn to put ourselves in other people's shoes in some situations in order to anticipate the ugly result of some imprudent actions.

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The Sahara Report above is sufficient reason for the decision made by Ribadu. There is potential risk that the man could be poisoned by those who are not happy with his war on corruption. Remember how Idiagbon died? It was at a dinner. Of course, the presence of the #1 law officer who is supposed to work with EFCC in the fight against, but hid behind legal process to obstruct justice is another good reason. Let face it Mr Ribadu's work is not easy. The man should be careful where he threads.

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Aji, tell me that you are being sarcastic. I hope you don't really believe that.
The issue here is credibility. Ribadu is gradually being found out. He accepted but did not turn up. Instead we are being given some lame excuse. His word should be his bond.

If his no show was because he felt that a thief was being honoured, why did he not say so to the organisers and why did he have to send someone else to represent him?.