The Fall of Mallam Nuhu

Before now Mallam Nuhu Ribadu was just an obscure police officer. Perhaps like every other person, he had a dream to sometime in the future rise to the echelon of his chosen career. But before long that dream saw the light of the day when he was appointed by the former president Olusegun Obasanjo as the head of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Though many thought he was not the most competent hand to hold such a sensitive position, he was quick to prove his critics wrong. He was at the fore front of the anti-graft war, like a warrior he fought fearlessly. His benefactor Olusegun Obasanjo was his back bone so he could step on toes without looking back. As expected Ribadu’s quest to rid the country of the canker worm of corruption did not augur well with some fellows. He was seen as an insignificant person sheltered by the wings of the president; his approach was rather too abrasive and raised a lot of eyebrows. But Ribadu remained undaunted in his pursuit, he brought political heavy weights to their kneels and made a mince meat of those who considered themselves sacred, in no time he had metamorphosed into a lime light figure, his effrontery received commendations from citizens both at home and in the Diaspora, awards flowed in aplenty for him to the hurt of many. His adversaries were many, they frowned at his every move, some sections described him as a whip in the hands of the former President, others accused him of selective justice, but for Mallam Nuhu those opinions did not count as long as he fought ferociously, disgraced high profile politicians and exposed corrupt government official. In December 2006 Ribadu yet again silenced his critics when he bagged the Silver Bird Man–of-the-year Award for his gallant achievements in the anti-graft war. While his adventure lasted, no one could envisage his imminent change of fortunes, many had thought that he would be retained as the Chairman of the anti-graft commission even after the expiration of Olusegun Obasanjo’s tenure, but it was not to be. Obasanjo’s successor Umaru Y’ardua trode on a different path.
Soon after Obasanjo’s tenure, Riabdu’s long voyage to hell began. He hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons, he was sent on a compulsory one year study at the Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPPS) in Kuru, Jos, a development which was seen by many as an attempt to get rid of him, then came his tussle with the Attorney General of the Federation, Michael Aondoakaa, which generated an elongated controversy, after which he was demoted and redeployed from the chairman of the commission to a deputy commissioner and replaced by a tooth-less Farida Waziri. Another drama unfolded on his graduation at the Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies as he was whisked away by Security officers. But for the intervention of the President, his certificates would still have been with-held by the Institution; Mallam Nuhu Ribadu was finally nailed to the cross on Tuesday December 23 2008 on the grounds of “serious misconducts”.
As expected his dismissal has fuelled yet another round of controversies. While some opine that it is affront to the rule of law, his adversaries affirm that he had been paid in his own coin, as the saying goes that “What goes around comes around. Mallam Nuhu’s ordeal could be described as Karma in effect, the same fate that befell his victims while he chaired the commission now gawks him in the face. Posterity will perhaps consider Mallam Nuhu as a man who came, saw, conquered and left with lifelong injuries as rewards for his labour.

Vincent Nzemeke.

Hmm. . .nice piece. but how about using block paragraphs next time? it makes it easier to read. 

Hmmm nice piece.