Ogun State And The Ribadu Report

By

Tayo Agunbiade

tayo_agunbiade@yahoo.com

 

 

Admittedly, the past couple of weeks have been very interesting in the political life of the nation as well as in the lives of Nigerians. For one, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has kept the nation agog with revelations about some of the staggering levels of financial crimes being committed wholesale in some of the State-run tills. Indeed in a few cases, State Governments have literally been caught with their hands in the cookie jar.   Listening to the EFCC Czar, Nuhu Ribadu give his report to the Senate, albeit with a spot of showmanship, leaves one in no doubt that he is keen to weed out any corrupt public officers from our midst and let the nation’s anti-corruption stance shine through to the outside world.

 

 Ribadu gave a clear distinction between an allegation and an investigation. He stated unequivocally that an allegation does not in any way mean an established case of guilt. And emphasised that if an allegation is made, his constitutionally - given mandate permits him to conduct an investigation before any conclusions are drawn. Unfortunately the following day Nigerians were presented with the most sensational stories from some quarters of the press. Indeed it may be fair to say that some of the press coverage was not a true reflection of the Ribadu Report. The judicial mantra which states that one is innocent until proven guilty was severely mangled as some newspapers went to town with headlines screaming about the wholesale indictment of 31 State Governors. Whereas the Report stated that only 15 Governors were indicted and the rest were under investigation. Indeed it was a whole mishmash of misinterpretation of the facts as stated by Ribadu and to say the least, very confusing.

 

100%Ogun State for instance- though not listed as being indicted by the Commission- found herself caught up in the wind of presumed guilt that suddenly gripped the nation courtesy of the next day’s news reports; while some States that received a mention in the list pronounced by Ribadu were mysteriously given a clean bill of health.  Various kinds of interests were reflected in the reportage that was to follow Ribadu’s presentation.

 

Going back to the Report which was recorded live on television, Ribadu confirmed that the Commission had very recently received a petition against Governor Gbenga of 100% 100% Ogun State but said an investigation would be conducted before any conclusions would be drawn. Indeed an allegation can never translate into a conviction. It’s only an investigation will determine if there is a case to answer or not.  These are basic principles of law and order which a free and fair press should observe in the discharge of its duties.

 

 While it has been stated that Ribadu was carrying out his mandate like a patriotic Nigerian to rid his country of the cancer of corruption that prevents ordinary Nigerians in some parts of the country having access to even the most basic amenities of water, roads, electricity etc, he must strenuously avoid judgemental statements even upon those whom the Commission’s investigations have indicted.

 

The conduct of Senator Ibikunle Amosun who represents Ogun Central Senatorial District in 100% 100% Ogun State must also be commented upon. During the cause of the proceedings, Senator Amosun pointedly asked what at best can be described as a rather bizarre and incendiary question. He wanted to know if his State had been indicted. Indeed he posed his question after Ribadu had reeled off the list of indicted States and this made it all the more worrisome.

 

 However, for the avoidance of any further doubt about the position of 100% Ogun State vis-à-vis any case of corruption, Ribadu said in part: “Please permit me to clarify the fact that we are investigating does not mean a man has been found guilty. I must emphasis investigations are being conducted before conclusions are drawn”. He also said that a clear allegation is does not mean an established case and allegations are always subject to investigations. Simply put the Governor of Ogun State based upon the recent submission of a petition, is under investigation by the Commission and has by no stretch of the imagination whatsoever been found guilty of any corrupt practices.

 

The senator’s actions revealed one of two things. Perhaps he was not paying full attention to this matter of national importance and so did not realise that the list of States that were under indictment has already been announced. It’s not unusual to see lawmakers doze off during lengthy proceedings. This may be a possibility.  Keen watchers of Prime Minister’s Question time (PMQ), which is conducted in the British Parliament, may recall MPs occasionally nod off.

 

The question may have derived from the inability to draw a clear line of distinction between an allegation and an outright declaration of guilt. The Senator’s ambition to govern 100% 100% Ogun State is no longer a secret. His awkward question may well stem from this desire and perhaps in what appears to be an all-consuming passion may have driven him to unwittingly try to discredit the Daniel-led administration, his State of origin and compatriots all in one fell swoop. No-one quarrels with a political ambition as long as it stays within the confines of commonsense.  Indeed it is part of the fundamental principles of democracy. 

 

Political debates are also a part of the democratic set-up. What the public would like to see are political discourses that would enhance the political growth of our nation. We are yet to be served with any manifestoes that offer Nigerians alternatives and fire up our imaginations. Rather we are daily bombarded with flaky petitions, immature and flat statements that have absolutely no value for a developing nation like Nigeria.  It’s a shame that the mania to gain political power being exhibited by some politicians is not matched by the same amount of enthusiasm to tell us exactly what they want to do if they get to public office.

 

Taking it a step further, it can be said that the Senator’s question is capable of projecting the 100% as a no-go area for would-be investors. Such acts could harm the indigenes of the State one way or another. The importance of investment to a State and the development of its people cannot be over-emphasised. Just last week it was reported that the rate of armed robbery in is frightening investors away.  These days’ investors are not too keen to part with their resources for the flimsiest of reasons. Any hint of anything untoward is a huge turn off. One would have thought that rather than in what appears to be an eagerness to put one’s State of origin in the dock, one would fight tooth and nail to showcase it as a model of probity and accountability. 

 

A few weeks back, Governor of Ogun State, Gbenga threw himself open for any questions from any quarters of the society in regards to any issue. This is in addition to the positive remarks of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) Chairman, when he visited the State recently. Surely these must count for something and not be dismissed with the wave of the hand for whatever reason. EFFCC must be allowed to do its job unaided by political machinations or media bias in any guise.

 

Mr Nuhu Ribadu must be allowed to discharge his duties without fear or favour and equally important is the fact the he must not allow himself to be sucked into the on-going torrent of political games and ever-present sometimes fervent political ambitions. He should remember that the whole world is watching us and a great deal of responsibility hangs on his ability to keep his head while others may loose theirs.

 

tayo_agunbiade@yahoo.com