Ribadu: When You Fight Corruption, Corruption Fights Back

://news.bbc.co.uk/nol/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/07/business_nigeria0s_challenges/img/6. “WHEN YOU FIGHT CORRUPTION, IT FIGHTS BACK” file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/Visitor/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtml1/01/clip_image002. To understand the grossness of the injustice currently being perpetrated against former EFCC Chairman Nuhu Ribadu, one has to appreciate the depth of his achievements.Ribadu’s grievances are well known and do not need repetition. BACKGROUND OF NUHU RIBADU Nuhu Ribadu was born on November 11, 1960 in Yola, Adamawa State. Prior to being appointed Chairman of the EFCC Ribadu served in the Nigerian police force. He obtained a law degree from the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) in Zaria in 1983 and was called to the Nigerian bar in 1984....Read the full article.

[Olu Affairs]

It's such a shame and sorry sight to watch as the parody unfolds. As the saying goes "The less their ability, the more their conceit. The smaller the mind the greater the conceit." Aesop (620 BC - 560 BC).
In a nutshell, these sentences sum up the bunch of fools in charge of the failed nation.

Not even the most backward society, deep in the amazon jungle that has not been touched by any civilisation or modernisation, can explain having the likes of Ibori, Kalu, Alao-Akala, Alams etc as governors.

[nijalaw]

From the BBC:

'Threat' to Nigeria ex-graft Czar


The former head of Nigeria's anti-corruption unit has had threats made against his life, US-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) has said.

Nuhu Ribadu was removed from his post at the head of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) last year and sent on "study leave".

HRW says he has since been subjected to an "escalating campaign of harassment".

Mr Ribadu told HRW that his car had been shot at in September and he has received threatening phone calls.

HRW called on the government to protect Mr Ribadu.

A spokesman for the police said the force had not received any complaints or reports of threats from Mr Ribadu or the police bodyguards assigned to him.

'Undermined'

Mr Ribadu was moved from his post to attend a course a few weeks after the EFCC arrested a wealthy former governor from Nigeria's oil producing region, James Ibori, who was instrumental in getting the current president elected.


Despite promises from President Umaru Yar'Adua that there was "zero tolerance" from his government to corruption, the sleaze watchdog has been "seriously undermined", said Georgette Gagnon, HRW's Africa director.

During Mr Ribadu's tenure at the head of the EFCC the anti-corruption agency brought charges against eight former state governors, a former inspector general of police and several high profile businessmen, as well as a number of advance-fee conmen, known as "419ers".

But critics said his management of the EFCC's prosecutions were selective, and that the agency was being used by former President Olusegun Obasanjo to punish his enemies.

Allies of Mr Obasanjo had escaped prosecution, it was claimed.

The BBC's Andrew Walker in the capital, Abuja, says Mr Ribadu's sacking may have been part of an attempt to remove the influence of the former president in government.

HRW said it is concerned at the direction the EFCC has taken since the new head Farida Waziri was appointed.

The agency's top investigators were returned to the police force, and have been reassigned to states where the men they investigated retain great influence and power, HRW said.

But a spokesman for the EFCC said there was nothing unusual about officers being reassigned, and it had little effect on their investigations.

Most of the officers reassigned were highly trained & chaff was brought in to repace them. For the past six months the EFCC has nothing to show under Waziri & Babafemi

"It's old news, and not an issue. In the police you don't stay in one place forever, and no one individual officer is so important they cannot be replaced," the EFCC's Femi Babafemi said.

[MrOneNaija]

HAGIOGRAPHY THAT ADDS NO VALUE TO THE RIBADU DEBACLE

Originally Posted by Robot

://news.bbc.co.uk/nol/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/07/business_nigeria0s_challenges/img/6. “WHEN YOU FIGHT CORRUPTION, IT FIGHTS BACK” file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/Visitor/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtml1/01/clip_image002. To understand the grossness of the injustice currently being perpetrated against former EFCC Chairman Nuhu Ribadu, one has to appreciate the depth of his achievements.Ribadu’s grievances are well known and do not need repetition. BACKGROUND OF NUHU RIBADU Nuhu Ribadu was born on November 11, 1960 in Yola, Adamawa State. Prior to being appointed Chairman of the EFCC Ribadu served in the Nigerian police force. He obtained a law degree from the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) in Zaria in 1983 and was called to the Nigerian bar in 1984....Read the full article.

Another piece of hagiography that adds no value to the Ribadu debacle!

Despite the protestations of “selective” prosecution, no one has ever alleged that any of those prosecuted by Ribadu was innocent or victim to a miscarriage of justice. So long as those prosecuted were genuinely guilty of the offences for which they were accused, does it matter whether or not they were political enemies of Obasanjo? The questions that need to be answered in respect of Ribadu are:

Did he actually prosecute anyone that was NOT corrupt?


Did he arrest or jail any innocent persons?

The thinking that is on display in the above quote is akin to the reasoning which says in effect that a military coup is justified because the stated objectives of its perpetrators is to rid the society of a corrupt and incompetent civilian administration and its sleazy leaders. That the author of the above article has failed to (forcefully) denounce the rampant lawlessness and impunity of Nuhu Ribadu and his fellow thugs at the EFCC speaks volumes.

The strange attempt to raise the spectacle of a military intervention around the self-inflicted wahala of the former EFCC chairman must be seen as quite unfortunate indeed. These Ribadu sidekicks should grow up! The world does not revolve around the indisciplined policeman from Adamawa.

[ajimoh]

Originally Posted by Olu Affairs

It's such a shame and sorry sight to watch as the parody unfolds. As the saying goes "The less their ability, the more their conceit. The smaller the mind the greater the conceit." Aesop (620 BC - 560 BC).
In a nutshell, these sentences sum up the bunch of fools in charge of the failed nation.

Not even the most backward society, deep in the amazon jungle that has not been touched by any civilisation or modernisation, can explain having the likes of Ibori, Kalu, Alao-Akala, Alams etc as governors.

Olu Affairs, thank you, you got it so right. Permit me to add briefly that the seriousness of this nation in making any meaningful progress in fighting corruption is amply reflected in the calibre of leaders we have, most of whom are rogues and vagabonds in power, e.g. the likes of David Mark, with his well-known pedigree, as a very corrupt person, as Senate President; Goodluck Jonathan [another EFCC indicted, together with his equally corrupt wife - also indicted by the EFCC] as Vice President; Senator Iyiola Omisore - responsible for the murder of Bola Ige [in conjunction with Obasanjo, Atiku & others] sitting in our upper house of legislators; and a morally inept leadership in the House of Representatives and the Senate. We are a joke but simply fail to see ourselves in the mirror. How will corruption fight corruption? It is rotten from the top, where the mandate is a stolen one so this democratic foray stinks to high heavens and will eventually lead us to nowhere. We have continuously been dancing in circles, fettered by feudal lords who do not see further than their own selfish interests. We need to erase what we have now and rebuild, making examples of all the untouchables presently holding us down! It will take time but we will get there in the end.

[AISAGBON OMOGIADE]

Its time our brothers and sisters with golden pen did away with issue arising from Ribadu and his demotion.The chairman of the police service commission is a man of proven intergrity.Iam in full suport of the demotion of the officers who got their promotions through "godfathers".
I read an article in the Guardian Newspaper sometime ago written by a course mate of Ribadu in the Police College.Though Ribadu was already a CP then, the course mate was only a CSP and DPO in one of the small police stations in Lagos.The PSC as presently constituted, is trying to right the wrongs in the police force created by the last administration.There are no scape- goats or sacred cows.
Only Ribadu of all the officers demoted headed for the court.As I wrote in one thread few weeks ago,his actions since he went to court are tantamount to insubordination.Iam sure he is ready for the consequencies that no article-writer, no matter how prolific, can contemplate.

[Auspicious]

|||

I have just two prayers:

a]. Bless Nuhu Ribadu and those like Max Siollun, who recognize the progress and inspiration Ribadu represents in a land that is afflicted by this debilitating disease of corruption, enough to support him with their prayers and efforts.

b]. May my name NEVER be found amongst those whose actions and utterances support the humiliation of the single most obvious personification of official integrity and progress in tackling corruption in Nigeria in so many years.

To the above prayers, I say, Amen!

I am Auspicious.

[maxsiollun]

MrOneNaija, I think you may have misunderstood my article. Nowhere in my article do I call for or justify military intervention or call for a coup. If you disagree please let me know where in my article the words "army", "coup" or "military" occur....

You referred to "the rampant lawlessness and impunity of Nuhu Ribadu and his fellow thugs at the EFCC. Can you please give specific examples of such "rampant lawlessness"? Is arresting and prosecuting corrupt politicians and police officers against the law? Please clarify.

For reference, just over a year ago - Ibori, Kalu, Dariye, Alams, Nnamani and co were facing charges of massive corruption and were looking forward to jail terms for stealing YOUR money. A year later they are all free and NOT ONE SINGLE Governor is currently on trial for corruption despite the brazen theft that is going on. Are you happier with the situation today where corrupt politicians are using YOUR money to buy themselves lear jets, expensive cars and houses?

[Auspicious]

|||

The so-called "OneNaija" fellow would rather run from pillar to post making inspecific, generic or sweeping remarks that hold virtually NO water whatsoever.

Such is typical with people who have NOTHING to run on; their sustenance rests on white-lies and exergerations, and once they start, they never stop.

Such is his forte. And none who knows his history here is surprised.

I am Auspicious.

[tonsoyo]

[quote=MrOneNaija;296365].

The thinking that is on display in the above quote is akin to the reasoning which says in effect that a military coup is justified because the stated objectives of its perpetrators is to rid the society of a corrupt and incompetent civilian administration and its sleazy leaders. That the author of the above article has failed to (forcefully) denounce the rampant lawlessness and impunity of Nuhu Ribadu and his fellow thugs at the EFCC speaks volumes.

Since you are good at writing long epistles, why don't you just tell us some specific examples of laws trampled upon by him and how?

Your wild speculations and baseless conclusions will not add any value to your hopeless position.

[employlawone]

HAGIOGRAPHY THAT ADDS NO VALUE TO THE RIBADU DEBACLE

Another piece of hagiography that adds no value to the Ribadu debacle!

Really? No matter what is presented to you on this subject, it appears your mind seems to be made up in a cement like fashion. The writer offers a clear and objective piece, situated within the historical, based on facts and figures,

I therefore challenge you to offer a direct rebuttal to the facts laid bare, of cause laced with facts and figures and rooted in reality rather than fantasies.

The thinking that is on display in the above quote is akin to the reasoning which says in effect that a military coup is justified because the stated objectives of its perpetrators is to rid the society of a corrupt and incompetent civilian administration and its sleazy leaders. That the author of the above article has failed to (forcefully) denounce the rampant lawlessness and impunity of Nuhu Ribadu and his fellow thugs at the EFCC speaks volumes.

This is a classic redherring and a diversionary tactic to throw people of the scent of your exposed and vacous position.

The strange attempt to raise the spectacle of a military intervention around the self-inflicted wahala of the former EFCC chairman must be seen as quite unfortunate indeed. These Ribadu sidekicks should grow up! The world does not revolve around the indisciplined policeman from Adamawa.

When exposed for what you are then revert to your default position of name calling of the juvenile variety

I am afraid that you simply have not risen to the mark.

[DeepThought]

A STEP TOO FAR

However the tide turned against Ribadu in 2007. When several of the Governors’ term of office expired in 2007, their immunity from prosecution also expired. Ribadu then struck. He compiled a dossier on several corrupt Governors, had them arrested and began steps to prosecute them. Those arrested included the powerful Governors of Abia and Delta States respectively, Orji Kalu and James Ibori. He also had the powerful telecommunications tycoon Mike Adenuga, and Mohammed Babangida (son of former head of state Ibrahim Babangida) arrested and questioned. Ribadu had finally gone too far and stepped on the big powerful toes of those close to the top in Nigeria.

I am ambivalent about Ribadu and this EFCC thing because I don't believe it is possible to serve the devil and still be clean.

OBJ was a crook and wasn't really serious about fighting corruption.

Nevertheless, even though its plain to see that OBJ's intention was not to fight corruption but rather to use Ribadu and the EFCC - the law of unintended consequences could have been made to prevail. By the arrest (selective or not ) of powerful players, a precedence was being set.

That the EFCC was selective is IMO not in doubt. That Ribadu was used and he allowed himself to be used also IMO not in doubt. But that it is not the point. The point is that it was never meant to go so far but it did- and that was a good thing!
While I don't admire the motive behind OBJ's EFCC, I did obviously enjoy the spectacle of IGs and other criminals being brough to court in chains (even though mostly eventually they got off SCOTT FREE).

I don't sympatise with Ribadu as a person, as I hardly look at individuals. Rather, its the loss of any means of bringing ANY criminals down that I sympathise with.

People talk of rule of law and disregard for this by the EFCC. This to my mind is silly because I don't believe we have any rule of law in Nigeria so we shouldn't pretend. The very constitution we are operating on is flawed, the EFCC was probably concieved in illegality just as Nigeria itself is so I wouldn't loose any sleep if the EFCC is used by Yaradua or OBJ to hound thier political enemies - so long as we know the hounded people to be crooks.

That the hunter has now become the hunted is no suprise. What I would love to see is a continuation of the self destructiveness of the political class by themselves through agencies of the EFCC or by whatever means.

It would really be a shame if the self desgtruction is allowed to stop and if these politicians are able to go back to scratching each other's backs

[udokaamah]

Commenting on the treatment meted out to Nuhu Ribadu, Wole Soyinka said "the persecution of a faithful servant of the nation had plunged beyond prior depths, turning Nuhu Ribadu, former arrowhead of the battle against corruption, into a pincushion for the sadistic games of reprobates and recidivists latched to the ear of power." I rest.

As an aside, the picture of the dollar bills almost filling up a room in the author's article has a tinge of falsehood in it. Upon closer observation, it becomes clearly apparent that that picture has gone through some editorial or software magnification to make a few seem like plenty. That is the stuff of hollywood. I do not believe dollar bills almost filling up a room was infact photographed.

[katampe]

I have always sought a way to define the real Nigerian problem. But here are a few salient facts: a northerner fought corruption in a past administration, under a Yoruba man, and he is now being ridiculed and disgraced in a new administration, under the watch of a northerner.

The reason/ idea is that he stepped on the toe of powerful interests, including a powerful southern governor. So far, we have had southerners come out to defend him, showing support for a northerner being persecuted for fighting corruption.

With all these facts, what is really the Nigerian problem and does ethnicity fit in all these? Sometimes you wonder.

[Kenn]

Nice fairytale. I enjoyed it. Amusing.

[Dapxin]

Originally Posted by DeepThought

I am ambivalent about Ribadu and this EFCC thing because I don't believe it is possible to serve the devil and still be clean.

OBJ was a crook and wasn't really serious about fighting corruption.

Nevertheless, even though its plain to see that OBJ's intention was not to fight corruption but rather to use Ribadu and the EFCC - the law of unintended consequences could have been made to prevail. By the arrest (selective or not ) of powerful players, a precedence was being set.

That the EFCC was selective is IMO not in doubt. That Ribadu was used and he allowed himself to be used also IMO not in doubt. But that it is not the point. The point is that it was never meant to go so far but it did- and that was a good thing!
While I don't admire the motive behind OBJ's EFCC, I did obviously enjoy the spectacle of IGs and other criminals being brough to court in chains (even though mostly eventually they got off SCOTT FREE).

I don't sympatise with Ribadu as a person, as I hardly look at individuals. Rather, its the loss of any means of bringing ANY criminals down that I sympathise with.

People talk of rule of law and disregard for this by the EFCC. This to my mind is silly because I don't believe we have any rule of law in Nigeria so we shouldn't pretend. The very constitution we are operating on is flawed, the EFCC was probably concieved in illegality just as Nigeria itself is so I wouldn't loose any sleep if the EFCC is used by Yaradua or OBJ to hound thier political enemies - so long as we know the hounded people to be crooks.

That the hunter has now become the hunted is no suprise. What I would love to see is a continuation of the self destructiveness of the political class by themselves through agencies of the EFCC or by whatever means.

It would really be a shame if the self desgtruction is allowed to stop and if these politicians are able to go back to scratching each other's backs

Thanks for trying to put in another way, what a number of us been trying to define.

Who was it that said, "...its madness but there is method to it"- defining it and solving it he must have meant.

You hit it, and balance it out in the underlined. Thanks!

[Auspicious]

Originally Posted by Kenn1

Nice fairytale. I enjoyed it. Amusing.

I am very impressed that that's all you got to say.

Evidently, it got your tongue stuck to the roof of your mouth.

As MSNBC's Chris Matheews would say, "HAN!"

This is Auspy.

[Kenn]

Originally Posted by Auspicious

I am very impressed that that's all you got to say.

Evidently, it got your tongue stuck to the roof of your mouth.

As MSNBC's Chris Matheews would say, "HAN!"

This is Auspy.

Take another bite! This time more than you can chew. Go on!

[Tamuno]

So the Ribadu fan club has not yet seen the bold hand-writing on the wall: that the house of cards erected by their hero has collapsed or about to crumble? How come that the same Ribadu who went about dethroning powerful corrupt persons has refused to answer charges of his own personal corruption? How come that a policeman has refused to take orders from his superiors to present himself for questioning? The way it stands now, Ibori and Odili are cleaner than Ribadu. Ribadu has been running from pillar to post in bid to avoid being shamefully exposed. Can't this bunch of internet mob on NVS read the signs of the times? What on earth is Ribadu hiding from you, his fan club?

Talking about cover-ups, not far from the shopping plaza said to belong Okiro in Utako, Abuja is a massive residential estate said to belong to Stella Obasanjo. It was built in less than 12 months. Where was Ribadu? I gathered reliably that the mass transit co. known as Cross Country is owned by Stella Obasanjo, where was Ribadu? COJA and CHOGM were hijacked by Stella and Obj's clan. Petitions and protests were sent to Ribadu. Years later no one is talking about them. What is all these nonsense about Nuhu Ribadu and anti-corruption war?

I cannot wait to see the day that Ribadu is unmasked and the charllatan that he is is exposed for the world to see.

[Auspicious]

Originally Posted by Kenn1

Take another bite! This time more than you can chew. Go on!

Kenn, why naaw? Na fite?

Me I nor dey bite o!

But I can chew sha.

AuspY.