Moves by Acting President Goodluck Jonathan to appoint the former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, into his cabinet has rattled some former governors, a number of whom are undergoing trial for alleged corrupt practices while in office.

No fewer than 10 of the ex-governors have over N55.2bn graft cases pending in different courts.

Only Chief Lucky Igbinedion, a former governor of Edo State, has been convicted since Ribadu was eased out of office in 2008.

The Federal Government had last week withdrawn its case of non-declaration of assets against Ribadu at the Code of Conduct Tribunal. Saturday PUNCH edition of April 3, 2010 had reported that Jonathan was considering Ribadu for appointment as a special adviser on anti-corruption.

A national newspaper reported on Sunday that Ribadu confirmed that he had been contacted by government to occupy the position.

However, indications emerged in Abuja on Monday that some former governors had engineered a campaign against Ribadu’s return.

A source told our correspondents that some of them had started planning how “to join the battle” to frustrate Ribadu’s appointment.

Besides allegedly voting a financial war-chest for the campaign, the ex-governors reportedly agreed to mobilise different opinion leaders in the country to denounce Ribadu’s tenure as chairman of the EFCC.

According to the source, some ex-governors were jolted when the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation applied to the CCT for the withdrawal of the non-declaration of assets case against Ribadu.

In justifying the action, the Head of Press and Public Relations at the Code of Conduct Bureau, Mrs. Idowu Jokpeyibo, said the decision was made known at the resumed hearing of the tribunal on Wednesday in Abuja by Dr. J.O. Olatoke, the Special Assistant on Litigation to the immediate past AGF and Minister of Justice, Adetokunbo Kayode (SAN).

At the sitting, Olatoke had explained that the move to withdraw the case had nothing to do with a new application which the defence counsel intended to submit for the CCT to strike out the case.

But, the anti-Ribadu campaign began on Monday in Abuja with text messages. The unidentified sender urged recipients to spread the text, condemning government’s appointment of Ribadu.

One of the text messages reads, “Nigeria Alert: the acting president Jonathan Goodluck promised to fight corruption.

“He has started by withdrawing charges of corruption against Nuhu Ribadu and el-Rufai so as to admit them into (sic) his cabinet.

“This is coming at a time many senators, ex-governors and bankers are on trial for same. Is this how to fight against corruption or is it simply Obasanjo at work with Jonathan. Say no to this fraud. Pass on!!!”

However, calls to the number did not go through.

Ribadu had while in office stated that 32 out of the 36 state governors had questions to answer.

Ex-governors whose graft cases are still pending in various courts are Mr. Ayo Fayose (Ekiti); Joshua Dariye (Pateau); Senator Saminu Turaki (Jigawa); Orji Kalu (Abia); and Rev. Jolly Nyame (Taraba).

Others are Senator Chimaroke Nnamani (Enugu); Boni Haruna (Adamawa); Michael Botmang (Plateau); and Alhaji Rashidi Ladoja (Oyo).

http://www.punchontheweb.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art20100406685720

They are wasting there time, what they should be doing know is to go to Andokia and Farida Waziri to collect back all the money they gave to them as bribe. Because jail here they come.

See the type of leaders that we have. They are not afraid of the Bible and the Koran on which they swore to govern well but fear a mere mortal like them. No wonder we have deceitful people in positions of authority. Shame on our leaders.

no hiding place for the corrupt.

There will never be peace for anybody that has stolen Nigeria's money and deprived millions of others of basic amenities.

@otukpo,
Special adviser to Goodluck AP, on EFCC, ICPC, code of conduct tribunal matters,

I have not made any comment since this guy was made acting president but, am happy with two things he has done so far which is bringing of ribadu and heading the power sector.

If all this work out accordingly as he is going, i will personally vote for him 2011, he will be my first politician ever voted for.

They love to steal and yet dont wanna go to jail . . . . .

Al Mustapha should be forgiving and call upon to assist Ribadu am sure 2 million nigerians will cross the borther

Ex-governors are no longer relevant! case closed!

Echidime:

Al Mustapha should be forgiving and call upon to assist Ribadu am sure 2 million nigerians will cross the borther

my mind exactly if 95% of the nation's wealth is being controlled by jst 5% of the populace, then there is problem. These ex-gov r very stupid and irrelevant. they need security and immunity but nvr want accountability. 2010: year of turbulence

nethacker:

my mind exactly if 95% of the nation's wealth is being controlled by jst 5% of the populace, then there is problem. These ex-gov r very silly and irrelevant. they need security and immunity but nvr want accountability. 2010: year of turbulence

We are all watching

I WILL DO THE SAME.

^^ Then, dont steal

jonex70:

I WILL DO THE SAME.

then u will be killed like RIMI simple

^^^ That was harsh

Shameless politicians, so they are actually afraid of Ribadu?

Website where credit cards are sold in the open, God help us
myshopadmin.info

^^^ What do u want people to do with such info?

Fhemmmy:

^^^ That was harsh

fhemmmy na so e dey start so make we dey start to curse them frm now

oge4real:

Shameless politicians, so they are actually afraid of Ribadu?

i tot they werent but its now crystal clear that even the hausas r afraid of ribadu because they knw him as an adamant and obstinate human being all of them don dey go renew their visas
mathematically; ribadu's entry=politicians exit+ information  

Ok oh

Igbi kini? He is still alive? AAAGGHH!!!

Kobojunkie:

Igbi kini? He is still alive? AAAGGHH!!!

^^^ @ kobojunkie, wats this who u dey refer to?

Make dem remember say our problem na phower in this country, i no say they are all game players only god can help us all in this nation to get stable power

Hahaha the guilty are always afraid BLOODY LOOTERS

EVERY DAY FOR THE LOOTERS BUT ONE DAY FOR THE 150MILLION IMPROVERISED NIGERIANS

the sign that you are/will be effective is shown when people with questionable characters begin to kick against you. such is the case with ribadu. i trust that he will have goodluck this time.

ONE DAY,BUSHMEAT GO CATCH THE HUNTER.Dem never start 2 sweat,make dem watch out.

What are the Ex-Govs afraid of? they should simply prepare to go to jail like Bode George because there is no hiding place for them anymore!

they'd always try but'd fail cos the Almighty has plans for naija & a Joshua has to be present to actualise it.
these goofy govs should find their square-roots before they start living next cage to BGeorg in kirikiri.

Instead od mobilising the nation to move forward instead they are quaking quietly on hearing of the return of ribadu they should not only be convicted for corruption but for crimes against the development of nigeria