Embattled erstwhile Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Mallam Nuhu Ribadu yesterday kept the DIG Ogbonnaya Onovo –led disciplinary committee waiting endlessly as he again failed to show up to defend himself over allegations of insubordination against him.

The police had following the refusal of Ribadu to respond to about three queries fired him by the Police hierarchy set up a seven-man panel to try him for insubordination. The committee is meeting at the Police Officers’ Mess, Kaduna.

Although, the disciplinary committee which started its sittings on Monday was billed to try other Police officers for various offences, Ribadu was billed to appear before it yesterday.

However indications that the Adamawa-born cop would shun the panel emerged in Abuja on Wednesday when he approached the ECOWAS Court for protection, owing to the on-going strike by Judicial workers.
He had through his counsel, Charles Muse sued both the Federal Government and the Inspector General of Police, IGP, Mr. Mike Okiro, to press home his point that constitutional provisions forbade the IGP from setting up a panel to try him.

Feelers from Abuja indicated that the IGP and the Attorney-General and minister of justice, may have received the court papers. But as the time of filing this report, Daily Sun learnt authoritatively that the panel was yet to receive a word from either Ribadu or his counsel to ascertain whether or not he was going to appear before the panel.

The panel which started its sitting by 10a.m yesterday was yet to rise as at the time of filing this report.
Daily Sun further learnt that the panelists were likely to wait till 5.pm before rising for the day.
Asked why the panelists may want to stay till that late, a source told Daily Sun that "you know Ribadu is a smart guy. If they rise now, he can just sneak in later and go out and then claim that he came but there was nobody to attend to him. And since police work administratively closes by 5p.m or 6p.m, the panelists may probably stay till then before they close," the source volunteered.
Meanwhile, there are strong indications that the panel sitting in Kaduna may recommend Ribadu’s sack at the end of its sitting. The panel was set up to try Ribadu and other police officers for various offences.
But while other officers standing trial were said to have appeared before the panel to defend themselves, Ribadu did not show up.

A police source told Daily Sun that "if the man is sacked today, the question of not being given a fair hearing will certainly not arise. I can therefore assure you that the police would have been seen to have followed due process in sacking Ribadu. And I am sure, the panel will recommend for his sack. All the PSC need do to is to act on the recommendation as appropriate.
"And let me also add that even if the committee recommends for his sack, the PSC may still invite him to hear from him, before taking its decision. But one thing I can assure you is that Ribadu’s days are numbered in the police," the police source quipped.
As at the time of filing this report, the committee was still waiting, hoping against hope that Ribadu may still show up.

wetin dey worry this guy?