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Nuhu Ribadu; Lest You Forget By Abdu Isa Kofarmata
10th September, 2005
In a country where virtually all public office holders whether elected or appointed are corrupt, especially the Nigerian Police Force, we are fortunate, a trained and courageous cop is discovered in the person of Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the indefatigable chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. (EFCC)
Within the two years of its operations, EFCC has made a tremendous impact within the economic and financial sector of Nigeria, especially in the area of fighting corruption and its ramifications. EFCC, under Mallam Nuhu Ribadu within this period, has succeeded in arresting and prosecuting those that ordinarily could have been untouchables in Nigeria. The arrest and prosecution of Mr. Tafa Balagun, former Inspector General of Police and prosecution of the former Senate President, Mr. Adulpus Wabara, as well as the dismissal and prosecution of the former minister of education Professor Fabian Osuji, were all courageous and commendable efforts.
However, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu now seems to be compromising or rather decided to ignore some elements or even be selective in the pursuit of this laudable assignment he had embarked upon. Every Nigerian that was alive during a celebrated national broadcast of the president Obasanjo on the N55 million corruption scandal can testify and bear witness that the National University Commission (NUC) was specifically mentioned in the scam which subsequently led to the dismissal of Professor Fabian Osuji, the Chief Executive NUC, Professor Okebukola was specifically mentioned and his role as cash mobilizer was clearly stated in that national broadcast. Unfortunately, Professor Bukola is still presiding over NUC while his entire accomplice were dismissed, removed or prosecuted.
Another episode which my cop of the year, Mallam Ribadu seems to forget is the issue of Ikoyi housing robbery. We are all fully aware that the president decided to cancel the initial allocation and sales of the housing units by the former minister, Mrs. Mabolaji Osomo based on the fact that some Chief Executives made a deposit of between N70 million to N100 million for the purchase of those houses. Surprisingly, none of those Chief Executives or culprits has been investigated, prosecuted or removed by the president and Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.
Allahrene, Nigerians are fully aware of the personalities involved in that scandal, and we all know that those people were not close to that amount before their appointment into their present offices. Nigerians are therefore closely watching with keen interest what action Mallam Nuhu Ribadu would be taking against these people. It is good and also in the interest of his personality and integrity to clear the air on this shameful issue. For avoidance of doubt, Mallam Ribadu may wish to be reminded that Doctor now Professor Dora Akunyili of NAFDAC and Professor Charles Soludo of the CBN (N25 billion governor) were among the depositors but to date, nobody including Mallam Nuhu Ribadu is interested in knowing how these people got that large sum of money to pay for those houses. We are very conversant with their last gainful employments; certainly none of them could have saved such amount of money before their present appointments.
Another confessional statement made by the president was that one quarter of the houses were purchased by his wife’s relatives, Mrs. Stella Obasanjo. At least Mallam Ribadu if nothing else, Nigerians are interested to know the names and where they sourced such huge amount of money to pay for one quarter of the said houses.
Allahsabbinane, I begin to doubt your courage, integrity and fairness in the way you handled some issues especially as it affects some people close to president Obasanjo. For instance, your boys arrested some people including the SSG in Yobe state based on complaints from opposition PDP members in the state. Similarly, your boys arrested and prosecuted some government officials in Kebbi state based on the state government’s report. But to our surprise and dismay, a comprehensive judicial commission of inquiry was set up in Kano, and the former governor now minister of defense, was indicted to have misappropriate or rather stolen close to N1 billion meant for ecological problem and about N80 million for student scholarship, but to this date, the man remains in the federal executive council under the protection of the president Obasanjo. In fact, your organization is yet to take any meaningful action or rather not interested in investigating the matter talk less of prosecuting him.
Before I conclude Allahrene, Nigerians and the good people of Kaduna state are very interested in knowing how the incumbent governor of Kaduna state came about his new residence. You know as everybody does know that he acquire the house while still a governor in the state. We are only interested in knowing whether he has declared the house in 1999 before assumption of office. This is the simplest way of fighting and uprooting corruption.
Lest you forget, history will not only judge you for your actions but also for your inactions on matters that require your action but which you deliberately decided to ignore or pretend not to know, thereby translating into injustice and unfair play. I urge you without fear or favor to complete your work and await posterity to judge you. Do not allow yourself to be seen as coward, as you know, there exist some pride associated with every Fulani. Few of these are courage and determination in addition to other component of Pulaaku. Do not also allow yourself to be used by some corrupt military and civilian politicians to settle scores against their perceived enemies.
Allahrene, you have an opportunity to write your name and your family generation to come in gold. Therefore, continue with your good work. I pray Allah hukke sa’a, Allah hubinehajejima, Allah hukke sabbungo, amen. |