Nigeria corruption tsar sidelined

The head of Nigeria's anti-corruption unit has reportedly been ordered to go on year-long study leave, in an apparent attempt to sideline him.

Nuhu Ribadu, who has spearheaded Nigeria's attempts to combat financial crime, is involved in the prosecution of seven former state governors.

Observers say that if he is removed from his post, it will be a blow to President Umaru Yar'Adua's credibility.

The president came to power in May promising to fight rampant corruption.

Reports say Mr Ribadu was told to tender his resignation in readiness for further studies.

Nigeria's police chief Mike Okiro called a press conference to say there were no ulterior motives behind the move, and that Mr Ribadu had been ordered to attend a one-year policy and strategic studies course in central Nigeria.

The BBC's Alex Last in Lagos says that despite the official denials, the notion that Mr Ribadu may be removed from office is highly controversial and invites suspicion that the move is designed to hinder the campaign against corruption.

In the last few months the agency has arrested a number of former state governors, most recently James Ibori from Delta state: a hugely wealthy and powerful politician who was a key figure in President Yar'Adua's election campaign.

Promotion

In April, outgoing President Olusegun Obasanjo promoted Mr Ribadu and gave him a new four-year mandate to co-ordinate anti-corruption work.

His critics, who saw Mr Ribadu as an ally of Mr Obasanjo, said he was being rewarded for silencing the opposition.

Chris Albin-Lackey, researcher on Nigeria at Human Rights Watch, told Reuters that if Mr Ribadu's suspension goes ahead, "the day he leaves office will be the day the credibility of Nigeria's 'war on corruption' is entirely destroyed".

The campaign group Transparency International, describes Nigeria as one of the most corrupt countries in the world.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) under Mr Ribadu has convicted over 150 persons involved in economic and financial crimes since its establishment in 2003.

Robot  # 1 | 27.12.2007 12:16

...Read the full article.

akuluouno  # 2 | 27.12.2007 12:59

Reports I read said he was summoned by Okiro and informed that he will be proceeding to NIPSS in 2008 in preparation for his being promoted to AIG and eventually made IGP. An unnamed south westerner has already been tipped and confirmed as his successor according to the reports I read. That was why I urged Shoko to be wary of his Chronicles of 2007 because it is not yet over until it is over.:D

Ebe  # 3 | 27.12.2007 13:08

Times of Nigeria is reporting that IG Okiro issued a statement this afternoon directing Ribadu (and other affected AIGs) to proceed on compulsory leave (or redeployment) to NIPSS, Kuru. We await confirmation and more details.

Crisdels  # 4 | 27.12.2007 13:25

Great News for Nigeria. Closer to reality I say. And closer to OBJ they are coming. But substitute from S.W.???

Onukulunjo  # 5 | 27.12.2007 13:28

Report is unconfirmed. Let's wait for confirmation first before we air our views. I will not be surprised in the least if the report is true, though.

Bunch17  # 6 | 27.12.2007 13:36

=akuluouno;4294975695>Reports I read said he was summoned by Okiro and informed that he will be proceeding to NIPSS in 2008 in preparation for his being promoted to AIG and eventually made IGP. An unnamed south westerner has already been tipped and confirmed as his successor according to the reports I read. That was why I urged Shoko to be wary of his Chronicles of 2007 because it is not yet over until it is over.:D My source says a Commissioner of Police from the East (dang!) is his replacement. The story was that he was not interested in moving against OBJ and other members of his camp such as Andy Uba and Iwu. The prevailing view is that he could not move against these chaps because he too is as compromised as these chaps. Na wah for PDP convention.

K_Station  # 7 | 27.12.2007 13:46

I've been following this story about Ribadu's removal since yesterday (Dec 26) on some Nigerian dailies. However Sowore's SaharaReporters claimed the IG made the announcement today in ABUJA (Details here).

dem  # 8 | 27.12.2007 13:49

=akuluouno;4294975695>Reports I read said he was summoned by Okiro and informed that he will be proceeding to NIPSS in 2008 in preparation for his being promoted to AIG and eventually made IGP. ........... I read the same report. My immediate reaction was that, is Okiro signing his own resignation letter? I wasn't aware that it was down to him to determine who becomes the next IGP and when. Ribadu must have been well flattered at the immense interest Okiro is showing in his career progression.... Anyway sha, as someone mentioned, let's hold fire until we get some kind of confirmation one way or the other. The only thing that is crystal clear is that the UMYA govt wanted Ribadu out since May 29.

Frisky Larr  # 9 | 27.12.2007 13:50

Pray jubilating folks accept my sympathy for a premature feast of defeatism! If this finally turns out to be true, the gains therein will unfurl only if any successor comes up with affirmative and decisive action. Given the timing though, there is a lot to be sceptical about. Sounds on the surface, like a decisive turn against OBJ's legacies. At this crucial time of Iyabo-gate however, with Ribadu under pressure to finally prove his independence, no one should be surprised if the commission is now taken over by a more crafty and capable hand that should smoothen out facts in some brilliant twists and turns to exonerate visible criminals. Just keep fingers crossed. The rule of law is the slogan!

Ebe  # 10 | 27.12.2007 13:58

The coincidence with Ibori's arrest is curious at best. And Saharareporters is reporting that Yar'Adua caved to Ibori's (and perhaps other ex-fellow governors') pressure when the ex-Delta Governor threatened to unleash an "Atomic Bomb" on the financing of the April electoral fiasco that purportedly brought Yar'Adua to power. More confusion.....the Americans are said to be trying to buy one more year for Ribadu. And still no official statement from Aso Rock. I hope they won't say this is an internal police matter that needs to be dealt with according to police rules and laws, which would be a ludicrous twist to the rule of law rhetoric of the Aondoakaa-Yar'Adua legal universe. Things will clear up by tomorrow. This confusion can't possibly last to next week.

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