I Saw Ribadu In Rwanda

I Saw Ribadu In Rwanda
By Reuben Abati

I RAN into him at the reception lobby of the Hotel Des Milles Collines in Kigali. He had just arrived and was trying to check into the hotel: Nuhu Ribadu, the erstwhile Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission who lost his job under rather controversial circumstances, and who is regarded as having been unfairly treated by the Yar'Adua government. I hugged him. He had lost nothing of his humility, his sense of humour and his humanity. He didn't look like a man who had just been rough-tackled by the unpredictable Nigerian state whose moral compass is subject solely to the whims and caprices of whoever is in charge, and not necessarily principles and values.

The following morning, we sat together on the same long table, and I slipped a note to him. I wanted an interview with him for The Guardian. It is about time he told his story at great length. He read my note, and picked up his pen. I noticed that he is a Southpaw, and I chuckled remembering how so many southpaws tend to find themselves in the hot corners of history. In his response, he had said "we would discuss." We were both attending a conference organised by UNECA in collaboration with UNDP to assess the efficiency and impact of anti-corruption institutions in Africa. There were anti-corruption chiefs in attendance from various African countries.

Ribadu wouldn't grant an interview, but he was ready to discuss. "I think it is better for me to remain silent now", he says. "I am using this period to reflect on what we did. You know when I took up the job in 2003, I resolved that I will try my utmost best. And walahi, I tried. I took the assignment seriously. Maybe I failed, but at least we proved that it is possible. So, I have been thinking and trying to figure out what further should have been done or could have been done differently." We were soon asked to introduce ourselves. When it was Ribadu's turn, he told the meeting: "I am Nuhu Ribadu, former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission of Nigeria, currently recuperating from a bloodied nose". The hall cracked into laughter. But the other anti-corruption chiefs and operatives would not laugh later when Ribadu took part in a country case studies panel.

.Read the full article.

[Dapxin]

It is comforting to read some of Ribadu's thoughts.

At the risk of re-awakening old Ribadu war(word)fare here, I have to say I enjoyed this piece.

That reminds me, its now Ribadu + R-Abati that are dodgy in here, isnt it ? Hmmm! Time !

[Triple Palaver]

God bless Ribadu

[Habiba]

Oh yes God bless Ribadu; and may he return someday as the Obama of Nigeria.

[emenanjo]

Two good piece of articles within a spate of three days. Thanks Reuben. This is a good piece. Even though, I have not done a piece on Ribadu myself, I think a lot of mature write ups have been done that had covered virtually all the other grey areas.

In a nut shell, the guy tried his best. I thank God that he also admitted that he was not perfect just like any of us, human. There is this common saying that "he who boast of being perfect, is perfect in folly." Nuhu started his fight against corruption from top and he tried his best. It now behoves on Farida to carry on from the man stopped.

Perhaps,and from the look of things, the zeal has died down because the lady seemed to have started hers or seemed to be moving from bottom, then up. The most important thing is for the tempo and momentum, initiated by Ribadu, to be followed up without relent.

[YUAN]

May the people behind Ribadu’s ordeal never know peace in their life.

[salstep]

From the title and the bit at the top of the comment page, its obvious abati is trying very hard to confuse/frustrate issues with an Ribadu article. Nonsense!

[overdryv]

This is one of those articles written for a dumbed-down society. The article is sprinkled with bare-faced lies and deceit everywhere. About a month ago when Ribadu was deliberately avoiding to honour an invitation by ICPC, this anti corruiption body that exists only in name, his lawyer Femi falana, lawyers could do anything for money you know, said his client was indisposed, that he was looking for a job. Now Ribadu has just confirmed he was offered a job by many bodies.

The noise people make about Ribadu's success on his anti corruption war has become rather irritating. For a man whose only impact was going after yahoo yahoo boys and investigating the vice president, ministers, governors and the president's daughter, any talk of success is pure bunkum.

That mention of Sami Turaki being Obasanjo's man caught my attention. If Ribadu knew this, why did he dismiss the allegation that Turaki gave Obj N10 billion to finance the TT project? Ribadu can never swear by Allah that he went against Tafa Balogun or Alamiesagha on his own.

Of all the deceits and lies in this article, I find Ribadu's pairs of slippers most interesting. For a man who sat on millions of dollars of foreign aid, why bring up an issue of 2003 slippers? I am inclined to believe that Ribadu and Abati had planned for a rendezvouz in Kigali.

His plan to write books is quite in place with people who have failed something similar to Humphrey Nwosu who after being used to thwart June 12 would come out to insult our sensibilities. What will Ribadu say in his books that he cant reveal to Abati now?

[SOC Okenwa]

Interesting Reuben! Did you also see and meet ex-Minister Modibbo there in Kigali too? Perhaps to inquire from him when the physical possession of the Abuja land will be effectively done without much public attention!

[Dapxin]

Originally Posted by salstep

From the title and the bit at the top of the comment page, its obvious abati is trying very hard to confuse/frustrate issues with an Ribadu article. Nonsense!

confuse / frustrate! what issue ?

It is clear he's decided not to address the half-insinuation, half allegation of land as he's being shot at. That may be frustrating for you, and many others, but he hasn't been fired from Guardian, and to that extent, don't turn logic on its head.

He has the right do do what he's been doing. Its not nonsense.

For a man whose only impact was going after yahoo yahoo boys and investigating the vice president, ministers, governors and the president's daughter, any talk of success is pure bunkum.

Highlight anyone of them that isn't corrupt. Oh! I forgot, its not worth going back to that Ribadu wordfare era anymore. Shebi dem deadi b00di president + Andoaaka law 101 + Okiro Police Corp has brought the society a better deal now.... and highlight the lies that you see. It's not okay to make sweeping generalisations...and who in this article lied, the writer, or the Ribadu..

Hmm!

[Profegee]

Sincerely, this is an inspiring piece showcasing the prensent frame of mind of Ribadu. I know for sure that Ribadu's work has just begun. It's onlu a matter of time. I know Reuben Abati is also fighting corruption in his own special way.

Ribadu rejected $500, 000 US and a house in Seychelles and an aircraft, I suppose Abati also rejected the land. Or am I wrong?

[ttonjo]

One of the persons Ribadu met on arrival at St Antony's is John Githongo, the Kenyan newspaper columnist and anti-corruption campaigner who had to flee from Kenya in 2005, after he discovered that the majorly corrupt persons in the country are his own colleagues: Ministers and the big men of Kenyan society. Githongo got their confessions on tape, but they told him bluntly that they are the ones milking Kenya dry. One fateful day, Githongo packed his bags and fled to London, from where he sent a letter resigning his position as Permanent Secretary for Ethics and Governance in Kibaki's NARC Government.

I really enjoyed this classic piece by Dr. Reuben Abati on Nuhu Ribadu. In fact, I was very happy to hear that the guy is doing well after his problems with the corrupts Nigerian authorities.

However, I would like to draw the attention of Reuben Abati's critics to the above underline statement. I want them to diligently digest the statement and read between the lines that Reuben Abati, 'seems' to indirectly answering their questions concerning the land issue.

The man is trying to tell you guys and ladies that if he, Reuben Abati, has got something to hide, he wouldn't have came up with such a statement.

He used the analogy of the Kenyan's Newspaper Columnist and Anti-corruption campaigner, John Githongo, to illustrates his point that (if you, the die hard critics, should find him guilty of any impropriety, he might resign).

A word is enough for the wise.

Anyway, that is my own interpretation to the statement above.

[overdryv]

Originally Posted by Dapxin

confuse / frustrate! what issue ?

It is clear he's decided not to address the half-insinuation, half allegation of land as he's being shot at. That may be frustrating for you, and many others, but he hasn't been fired from Guardian, and to that extent, don't turn logic on its head.

He has the right do do what he's been doing. Its not nonsense.



Highlight anyone of them that isn't corrupt. Oh! I forgot, its not worth going back to that Ribadu wordfare era anymore. Shebi dem deadi b00di president + Andoaaka law 101 + Okiro Police Corp has brought the society a better deal now.... and highlight the lies that you see. It's not okay to make sweeping generalisations...and who in this article lied, the writer, or the Ribadu..

Hmm!

You clearly misunderstood my post. What I actually implied was that Ribadu Ribadu scored a 100% hit on the yahoo boys but ONLY investigated the big guns. As for who is telling the truth, what difference does it make if a lier is giving his account to a compromised journalist? There is no making a detour on the Ribadu issue here. This story is all about him and if you fail to see the lies and deceit in his story, how else can I help you?

[ndboy]

People.

Na wetin?
Bros reuben,ur 2much.Once again a lovely write-up.Me,i didnt see anything confusing there jare.
Ribadu,God bless you.Dont worry,one day we'll retrieve our land from these bands of theives.
Nigerians,let us learn to celebrate our heroes.Ribadu is a hero for he did what nobody in Nigeria has ever done before.FACT.reuben cant collect land funded by Farida and still talk about them in their true light as in that article.
Learn us learn to be patient,and do away with PHD syndrome(pull him down).
May the Almighty's grace be with us ,Amen.

[Kenn]

--------




People,

This is a piece done in desperation. It is a self-serving attempt to give the impression that he, Reuben Abati, is not compromised by the government or the present leadership of the EFCC in the light of the accusations dogging him. Abati thinks writing ‘favourably’ about Ribadu will get the supposed Ribadu populist support (especially on the internet) behind him and make some who doubt him now reconsider their position (since no one on the side of this government or Farida Waziri should be expected to touch Ribadu with a barge pole). He also aims the article at those who doubt his own anti-corruption credentials by letting everyone know that he wasn’t in Rwanda on holiday, but for an anti-corruption conference. What he’s failed to realize is that no amount of ducking and diving will wish away his primary responsibility to his readers and Nigerians to explain his role in the shady Abuja land deal.

On the substantive Ribadu report, while I wouldn’t make too much of the factual errors in the piece, such as claiming that Prof Paul Collier is “the leading authority on African economies and politics” or that Anwal Ibrahim was “the embattled former Prime Minister of Malaysia” or that some security of tenure provision was there in Ribadu’s position at EFCC, I would still say it is a poor public relations job on behalf of Ribadu. The desperation of the author to hang on to something anti-establishment to prove his own anti-corruption credentials is sickeningly obvious.

Anyway, my view of Ribadu’s period of service at the EFCC remains unchanged. Of course, I’m disappointed that despite his claim to be using this time to reflect on what he did, he still has not come to grips with the fundamental flaws of his time at EFCC. He’s still living in denial and proposing to write books to justify his infamy and take on those who’d legitimately criticized him. He’s fashioning out himself as some kind of messianic figure and proclaiming how he won’t give up and how he won’t let those who’re persecuting him have the last laugh and so on. He thinks using illegitimate force and tactics or depriving people of their civil liberties is all necessary in fighting against “grand corruption”. All you get from reading the interview is a Ribadu determined to return to power and relevance via the only route he knows – political management of anti-corruption efforts. I don’t think he would get the opportunity again, but for his own good, he really needs to be honest with himself.

The only thing I’m happy about is that he has finally found his way to Oxford. I think it’s a fine start. I’m happy that he’s applying himself intellectually, because frankly, that is one thing he evidently lacks. I want to believe that by the end of his time at Oxford, he will come to understand why his medieval tactics of anti-corruption enforcement failed. He will come to understand that respect for the rule of law without compromising vision and commitment in the fight against corruption is the only way you institutionalize the fight against corruption, win the confidence of the people and support for the work you are doing. He would come to realize that a proper anti-corruption fight needs the law and technology to be credible.

So, I wish Ribadu well, but hope that he gets out of his self-righteous skin in time to honestly address the failures of his approach and accept the unblinking truth that he was used by Obasanjo to serve the latter’s end. Of course, he has a lot of time to make amends, but if he thinks he can use his proposed books to rewrite history, he’d be shocked that Nigerians are not as gullible as he thinks.

As for Reuben, let him get back to address what he should address. Oh, he saw Ribadu in Rwanda, thank you very much! Now, as SOC Okenwa asked, did he see Modibbo as well? You see, Reuben knows that a Ribadu debate will sizzle up the space, so he's written this as a distraction. Yes, this is meant to get the anti and pro-Ribadu people once again at each others' throats, while Reuben's responsibility to speak about the land issue gets buried under the fireworks! But I do not think it will work, because I for one will not engage anybody here or elsewhere on Ribadu. What I need to say about him, I've said. Right now, Reuben should be talking....

[Kenn]

Originally Posted by Profegee

Ribadu rejected $500, 000 US and a house in Seychelles and an aircraft, I suppose Abati also rejected the land. Or am I wrong?

You are wrong buddy, absolutely wrong!

[ajimoh]

Originally Posted by Habiba

Oh yes God bless Ribadu; and may he return someday as the Obama of Nigeria.

My sister, I second your prayer and hope for Ribadu. He claims no perfection and made mistakes but his good far outweigh the mistakes he made. What I most agree with is the observation that you cannot fight corruption without the President being serious about it, and it is in that respect that we are doomed in Nigeria. Ibori is walking free in Nigeria of today; Lucky Igbinedion also laughed in our faces; a known fraudster, Emmanuel Olutokunbo Enaboifo was recently appointed by the Nigerian President as Executive Director of Nigeria-Sao-Tome Joint Venture. What does this say about the President of Nigeria vis-a-vis the fight against corruption - lip service!

The EFCC chair, Farida Waziri, has been accusing SANs and ex-Governors of stalling their trials but that is only happening because the government is not serious and proactive to fight corruption head-on. If seriousness is demonstrated from the top, everyone will toe the line. A serious government would have approached the Body of Benchers regarding the behaviour of the SANs. A government that made Michael Aondoakaa its Attorney-General and Minister for justice cannot be serious about fighting corruption.

In Nigeria, conflict of interest is conspicuously missing in the understanding of the so-called educated class and even - sadly - amongst those supposed to be first-class journalists. Why has most of the leading journalists not written anything about the reprehensible appointment of the rogue, Emmanuel Olutokunbo Enaboifo? And how many of them, I mean the journalists with the power to be listened to, have protested the appointment of the new head of NAFDAC? How could it not have been obvious that Michael Aondoakaa was the brain behind that appointment? They, the top journalists and their proprietors, know this and many other ills bedevilling Nigeria but many of them have chosen the path of selectiveness in what they write! Why?

And the so-called men of God receiving dubious awards from the government are even worse. A journalist who chooses to go against the dictates of his/her employer would probably end up losing their job, harassed, threatened with death or actually killed - and the police never finds the killer!
Now, what is the excuse of men like Pastor Adeboye who refuse to speak out against corruption? How much money from corrupt governors has his church received? Does he not fraternize and receive the likes of Gbenga Daniel [and his offerings] with open arms. Has Pastor Adeboye found the time to ask Gbenga Daniel why Wale Adedayo merited to be assassinated?

And the lawyers of technicalities, adjournments, deals to scupper justice; corrupt judges who forget the word NO, etc. When the day of reckoning comes, I hope their wigs and gowns would be used to make fires in which they will all roast eternally in hell! And should God decide to send us a Rawlings, I hope that saviour will not forget the list of these corrupt judges and lawyers, for they ought to be tied to the stakes too next to their clients - the Iboris, Dariyes, Bola Tinubus, etc - and fired into the abyss of hell! Nigeria is presently in the hands of vagabonds but it will not be so forever!

[Anioma777]

Quite interesting reading another run of the mill article from Rueben Abati. I suppose I am hooked on NVS and rightly so.

Ribadu is now history, I feel sorry for him because he thought he could serve two masters and history has shown you cannot sustain that folly and eventually you the servant will lose out.

In future I will love to visit more African countries maybe starting with Rwanda.
Rueben Abati did Nuhu Ribadu say if he will be contesting the 2011 elections. It seems he has quite a large following on NVS

Did I hear someone mention Pastor Adeboye of the evil ocult rccg!!!! If a 419 pastor like him can be revered in our society, its no wonder Ribadu never investigated him,Orji Kalu,Ibori,Igbinedion etc to a successful conviction. Ah sorry one of the above was convicted and I hear he pulled out the N3 million from his attire and paid his fine on the spot.

Just six weeks of being in Nigeria, I am beginning to understand why a friend I had dinner with in Lagos a few weeks back who I felt was an upright man, said "oh boy temptation wey dey for Naija even saint fit chop money, if you cannot beat them join them". We laughed sheepishly but I felt an uneasy pain in my heart. Ribadu should have stayed low and bid his time. He also suffered from believing too much in his own hype. Having success against Yahoo boys quite frankly is nothing to write home about. Its like the police arresting thousands of cannabis sellers but the importers who they know are just kept under indefinite surveillance without prosecution despite the overwhelming evidence being gathered.

[felix]

It shocks to no end to read a newspaper editor who has spent the better part of two decades railing agianst institutional corruption and decay being mentioned in the same breadth with land allocations from a corrupt bunch of inept politicians in Abucha. Lets get the background to this infamy: Abuja is a city where land allocations have become an instrument for influence peddling. Other kind of vices we are contineously treated to from this city is contract scams and explosive prostitution..It is against this backdrop that many Nigerians have watched with chagrin as Abatis silence starts to take the form of acquiesence. That a "top" editor in Nigeria would be so ARROGANT to come down from his high horse to clear his name, set the records straight and chastisise people accusing him wrongly if so in a DIRTY matter like this is not only disturbing, it is overwhelmingly alarming!

Weti sef? Even the Babangidas and Obasanjos tried to explain certain levels of shady deals attributed to them and here we have one Lagos journalist treating his readership with utmost disdain while filing articles after articles on corruption for them to read! Who is this man??? Does Rueben think that his readership begins and ends with Oshodi bush meat sellers??? In an organised climate, Abatis write ups should have been suspended forthwith from a board like this untill he clears his name! This irritataing argeument about being innocent untill proven giulty is too nebuolus for a sensitive issue like this! No body has charged Obasanjo.., Abacha was not convicted but we have taken turns to pummel them here. Some of us have been disappointed with the unravelling Reuben Abati since 1999 and can fairly be accused of not being his best supporters but lets face it ; even for his most ardent critics, this is a new low! Ruebens articles should be placed in the cooler untill he explains to folks here how he got the so called land allocation from a corrupt Abuja! .. We need to set high standards if we are going to wriggle out of the corrupt hole some people have dug Nigeria into over the years...If there was no allocations, he should also say so and demand appology. But to display this unrivalled level of arrogance while expecting government officials to read and listen to him is to say the list nonplussing..Neither will this isseu be swept away simply because some internet megaphones turned clannsih support into a legendary sport..Enough should be enough...

[ttonjo]

Originally Posted by Profegee View Post

Ribadu rejected $500, 000 US and a house in Seychelles and an aircraft, I suppose Abati also rejected the land. Or am I wrong?

Originally Posted by Kenn

You are wrong buddy, absolutely wrong!

Please give us alternative views with FACTS to proof that Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, took bribes from anyone.
Maybe you knew something that we don't???

As I said earlier in my previous posts, there is more to this 'regular picketing' of Reuben Abati's articles than meet the eye.

Nigeria we hail thee.