₦airaland Forum

I mean for God's sake what century are we operating in? Must the IGP have to meet with every single
police officer attached to the EFCC at one time? Is that what they teach them at the strategic
course in Jos

Hargh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Let us examine some of the choices by OBJ and see that at least he tried even though he didn't succeed completely. El-Rufai for FCT, SOLUDO for CBN, Iwenja-okonla for Finance, Akinyuli for NAFDAC, RIBADU for EFCC etc

One more point, when NNADI Usman became Finance minister nobody complain, and her husband took over from her even though he is competent and merit it but that is nepotism, what are they trying to cover up. There are so many things and question one can ask which we may never get an answer?

Oh sorry , i forgot that this is nigeria where anything is possible and goes.

Thats what I mean by having a "star team", those who are not only passionate about their jobs but actually knows
how to do the job. Hate OBJ or not or high oil price or not, the fact remains that Nigeria has virtually no foreign debts.
Soludo did his thing in the economy (some of the gains are yet to be realized). Akinyuli and NAFDAC is another mark
OBJ made on the country (I am surprised they are yet to push or reverse her out, maybe soon. . .).

On husband succeeding wife, could you imagine OBJ doing something like that and all the cries of mischief that will
follow? Yar Adua just don't seem to have what it takes to govern Nigeria (he may be a decent person). I gave him
the benefit of the doubt, but he doesn't have "it", so it seems.

Presidency and the Ribadu affair
By Segun Adediran
Published: Friday, 4 Jan 2008

In its first official statement on the illegal decision of the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mike Okiro,
to send the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a course at the
National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), the Presidency has left the public more
confused.


While speaking for the President, his Special Adviser on Communications, Mr. Olusegun Adeniyi, said,
”Ribadu will attend NIPSS (course) like other officers so recommended.” He gave the strong impression
that Mr. Okiro‘s controversial action received President Umar Yar‘Adua‘s consent, but came short of
making the Presidency‘s position known on Ribadu‘s fate as the EFCC Chairman.

Instead of addressing the legal basis of Yar‘Adua‘s action, the President‘s spokesman accused the EFCC
boss, a section of the media and the civil society of engaging in blackmail and a propaganda blitz, stating
that it is Ribadu and his media friends that would help determine his (Ribadu‘s) fate one way or the other.

Adeniyi, who claims that the President has respect for Ribadu as a person both in terms of performance
and integrity further says that, ”what is painful is that the propaganda is coming at a time the President
had decided to forward Ribadu‘s name to the Senate for confirmation as EFCC Chairman because he has
no problem with him.”

Adeniyi further suggested that if the President had been informed of the complications involved in
sending Ribadu to NIPSS and his intervention sought before the ”media war”, the story might have
been different, ”because there are also people who could have pleaded with the President not to
accede to the recommendation.”

Clearly, the President‘s position on the EFCC Chairman appears to be in sharp contradiction to the
reasons adduced by the IGP for recommending him for a course with other six senior police officers.
If truly the President had decided to send Ribadu‘s name to the Senate for confirmation and also
acknowledges his integrity and performance as EFCC boss, why does he want to send him on a
course? On what legal basis was the decision taken?

The EFCC Act does not permit the President or the Inspector-General of Police to send the EFCC
agents and other personnel on any course other than the eight-point programme provided for in
Section 11of the EFCC Act. Relevant sections of the Act, especially Section 3 (2), also state how a
member of the Commission may be removed.

From what the Presidency has revealed so far on the Ribadu affair, it is, indeed, regrettable that
the running of government, especially the very critical anti-graft war, which President Yar‘Adua
pledged to wage with all vigour, has been trivialised to a matter of begging and lobbying, as
Adeniyi clearly suggested.

It is particularly unfortunate that a public official at the level of the EFCC Chairman is expected
to lobby the President‘s special adviser who claims to be one of Ribadu‘s friends to resolve a
matter that ought to be firmly treated as an issue of law and due process.

The beauty of constitutional democracy, as the 1999 Constitution guarantees, is that government
affairs are expected to be conducted in the open. It is, therefore, ridiculous for the President‘s
spokesman to accuse a section of the media and the civil society of blackmail and propaganda.
Adeniyi should note that the Constitution guarantees the freedom to hold and disseminate opinion.

The directive on Ribadu to proceed on a study leave is ill-conceived and contradicts the EFCC Act.
It is obvious from Adeniyi‘s statement that the President was not properly advised. The Police rules
which may have guided his decision to approve the course is inconsistent with the provisions of the
Act under which the EFCC chairman was appointed.

The honourable thing for the President to do is to reverse the decision. He should not be misled to
believe that he has to be ”begged” before he complies with the law, which he vowed to uphold in
the first place.

Nuff said. If the president does not even realize the negative impact that Ribadu's absence will
have on the EFCC or its crusade at this point in time, or the public relations nightmare it will create
for his administration, then folks forget all that trash about rule of law and 7-point agenda. The
country is toast!

Absolutely rubbish.
This is just the beginning; a man must plant a seed before celebrating the harvest season.

Give me a break, the man has only been there for 7 months and you're ready to give up?
You sound like an original nonstarter.
Don't you?

Yes, I am an original non-starter - whatever that means!

he inherited the mess from OBJ and he is surely and steadily puttin in place structures to
ensure that never again do we have to endure such an evil-regime. 4 once, lets shift attn
from 'stars' and build an enduring system that is guided by principles and simple decent
norms. give baba go-slow a chance, abi u get another option.

What do you build an enduring systems with, with dunces and men of questionable integrity
or with "stars" and those whose integrity can not be impugned? For God's sake what kind of
enduring systems that one can honestly build with the current AGF?

As usual, you can keep blaming OBJ for any ill-advised policies being made by Yar Adua even
2 years from now, while he continues talking about his blueprints, emergencies, and 7 points
agenda to nowhere. While I supported Yar Adua's emergence, I have lost complete faith in
his leadership abilities, he is simply out of his league (Nigeria is not Katsina).

All the people here who are cursing Nigeria and Yar'adua because Ribadu was told to go to NIPSS, what
are they going to say if and when Ibori is still sentenced to jail - like he's going to be sentenced - despite
the absence of Ribadu.

I will eat my words and apologize to Yar Adua. Having said that and knowing this useless country like I do,
the only place Ibori is getting sentenced to is home! Yar Adua doesn't have the guts to fight corruption in
Nigeria. If he did, he has the wrong people around him and appears too blind to see anything. The only
advice he seems to be getting now is that virtually every policy announced or implemented by OBJ was evil,
so its reverse, reverse, and reverse. Soon he will reverse into a brick wall.

We are still waiting for his several blueprints and emergences to be declared on key sectors, even if they
eventually announce them, the government doesn't have the "stars" that can execute. It is a clueless
administration and its becoming more apparent each day.

Umar who? Hen hen, I suppose IBB has nonimated Col. Umar to be the next
EFCC chairman?

Irregular appointment? The intellectual bankruptcies of Nigerian leaders knows
no bound. So if someone's appointment was really regular, sending them on a
course is the remedy or taking steps to regularize the appointment?

Heck, how regular was the election of the president? How legal or regular was
the process that made Umar a military governor?

Let me guess, someone on Nairaland is about to lecture us now on how we
need to strive for "perfection" in everything we do. . .

This country is lost!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Those that was not arrested will be God father to those that will be selected elected in the near future therby
making them corrupt as well. Arrest all the corrupt Politicians thats our stand.

What a moronic comment? Where in the world have ALL CORRUPT POLITICIANS been arrested before?
I guess you expect Nigeria to be a first, an impossible expectation from a country with the most corrupt
politicians. A country where an indicted former governor leaves jail on bail and he heads to the seat of
power to meet with the president. NAIVE!!!

Ribadu detractors can bury their heads in the sands if they like, but the greater majority of Nigerian media
agrees that Ribadu did a great job at the EFCC and has achieved more success fighting corruption than
anyone else in Nigeria. Imagine the EFCC hauling IBB's son in for interrogation - I bet that was the first
time their air of invincibility was punctured. Also, check your papers and you will see that Ribadu routinely
gets standing ovations whenever he attends public functions (the late ACF president's burial was a case
in point).

[size=32pt]GOD BLESS MALLAM NUHU RIBADU AND MAY HE CURSE THOSE THAT FIGHT HIM!!!!![/size]

seconded.

@Nicklee & co.

Were former Senate President Nnamani prosecuted by the EFCC? Please give a list of ACF or Afenifere
members that were hounded by Ribadu. Gani or Soyinka nko?

So Alams trouble now was because he was against 3rd term? Also why is it so hard for people to conceive
the fact that it was possible for Adenuga to have benefited from Atiku's illegal activities? Twice now, Atiku's
name has shown up in investigation of corrupt activities by the FBI in the US, I suppose that was also the
handwork of OBJ and Ribadu too.

It makes you wonder why Ibori is in jail now, maybe he too was against 3rd term? Take a roll call of the
people that have visited Ibori in jail and you will know how messed up this country is. If Yar Adua was really
sincere, he would have ordered Ribadu to ensure the prosecution of anyone found wanting regardless of
their closeness to him. What do we get instead? And you guys blame Yar Adua's action on Ribadu himself
or OBJ? Typical warped Naija thinking.

I believe McKren said a long time ago, it would have been best for Yar Adua to publicly give amnesty to all
ex-governors while asking Ribadu to begin keeping an eye on all public officers after May 29, as supposed
to this charade that you people are unwittingly supporting. The bottom line is that it will not augur well for
the country, come back in 6 months from now and I will pull this quote out. The country is now officially back
in business and I have officially given up on Nigeria too.

It was gathered that Umar was penciled down because of his radical posture and consistency
in criticizing ills in the society and in government. It was believed that his introduction would
raise the confidence of Nigerians that the Umar Yar’Adua’s government takes the fight against
corruption seriously. Col Umar is a known critic of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, whose
eight-year rule he consistently condemned.

I suppose being an OBJ critic is the core requirement for being a part of the administration. This
is very funny considering the fact the same administration was ushered with OBJ's "despicable"
tactics.

For those walking with their eyes closed, no one is saying Ribadu is the only person fit to run the
EFCC, but gosh shouldn't anyone from the presidency be more forth coming as to the real reason
why he was let go at this critical junction after arresting a big fish whom the administration seem
to be hell bent in protecting based on their past utterances and actions? In the absence of that,
speculations becomes the order of the day.

For those calling for Ribadu's probe, I hope you get your wish. While I can't speak for the man
himself, I doubt you will find many honest Nigerians like Ribadu. I can bet you Ibori will not being
in jail today if Ribadu was interested in bribes because Ibori has more than enough loot to play
around. The fact remains that no one from the presidency has been able to claim that Ribadu's
removal was due to poor performance.

Nigerians are a confused lot. If Ribadu's removal was because he wouldn't probe OBJ, couldn't
one accuse Yar Adua then of playing a game of "selectivity" with the EFCC? Wasn't the EFCC
supposed to be independent and not be used to settle political scores? Going by some of your
arguments isn't that exactly what this administration is doing? Still confused? Its not your fault.

Ribadu knows that as a ranking officer he can be deployed and redeployed anywhere and at any time.
Take for instance, Haz Iwendi, the immediate past Police PR. He was PR twice, posted to a state as
Asst Commissioner and now posted to Kaduna as Commissioner.

I am not surprised at your comment, obviously you have no clue what the EFCC act or the powers
conferred on its chairman was all about. If you have an EFCC chairman that can be deployed at will
by the IGP or one that has to answer to the AGF, pray what kind of EFCC are you going to end up
with?

The EFCC or its chairman will be as effective as the president wants it to be. When OBJ got in the
way, the EFCC was less effective, but that is no fault of Ribadu. You are about to find out that the
EFCC is on its way to becoming another ICPC - all noise and no actions. Perhaps, people like you
prefer it that way.

Good luck guys if you think Ribadu's replacement is not going to take "some" orders from the
presidency. Keep dreaming if you think Ribadu's replacement will go after Kingibe of the AGF if they
are found wanting without getting clearance from Yar Adua.

Keep dreaming if you think Ribadu's replacement will go after anyone with Yar Adua or Saraki as last
name. Keep dreaming if you think Ribadu's replacement can honestly carry on the anti-corruption
crusade without being branded as "selective" or as a "tool".

As it is, there is no opposition or plan for 3rd term so I can assure you no one will be prosecuted
for their stands - Nigeria is now corrupt-free. I am convinced that the naiveness of Nigerians is the
reason we will continue to be backwards.

Bagoma,
I think we've been having the best of times with YarAdua at the helm of affairs of the nation. See someone like Ibori is behind bars for financial crimes. More people will soon be jailed - including OBJ. Just watch out.

Dream on. . . I bet the AGF and Ribadu's replacement will deliver the goods

Soludo is next, and then the job will be completed. But after that, the country will fall back
into snooze mode as dullness is going to characterize this administration.

If Yar Adua likes he can fill most of the positions with people from one part of the country
including the very unqualified ones. It has been tried in the past and the results or lack of
it are there for all to see. For all his flaws, OBJ tried to get the best man or woman for the
job hence you had the Ribadus, El Rufai, Ngozi, Soludo, etc.

In addition to lack of credibility, brilliance is one more ingredient that seems to be a scarce
commodity in this administration. Its one thing to condemn or reverse a policy or idea that
has been put forth by others, its another to come up with yours entirely. Soon Yar Adua
will have to declare emergency on his existing emergencies for power, roads, etc.

. . . same old song, they might as well probe everyday he was president of the country.

Frankly, if you are of the opinion that Ribadu was eased out so that OBJ can be probed
effectively, then you really need your head re-examined. So if the next guy for whatever
reason fails to probe OBJ, he will be eased out as well? Does your president have any
balls or kidneys at all? I thought the office of the AGF is there, what they don't have any
one on staff that can effectively probe OBJ if they feel he is being shielded by the EFCC?

Just wondering, who heads the petroleum ministry currently? Don't worry, guys like you
will be singing OBJ praises in the months ahead because this guy ain't taking Nigeria no
where. After he is through reversing OBJ's policies, he will re-reverse himself again.

The coast is clear now. . . He is ready to face a soon to be non-existent probe, makes you wonder why he wasn't
willing to come out in the open when Ribadu was around. I am sure Odili will be making an appearance soon too.
My only prayer now is that may the the likes of MEND descend

Igbinedion Returns from Morocco this Week
•Ready to face probe
From Richard Amayo in Benin City, 12.30.2007


Former Governor of Edo State, Chief Lucky Igbi-nedion, would return to Nigeria this week. Igbinedion had taken a flight
abroad immediately after the May 29 hand-over ceremony at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City. He had since
transited in a number of countries before settling down in Morocco, North Africa. THISDAY checks reve-aled that Igbinedion
flew to London on Christmas Eve from his expensive holiday resort in Morocco as a prelude to his desire to return home
to face investigation of his eight year tenure as the chief executive of the state.

Besides, THISDAY also gathered that Igbinedion’s planned return is a direct fall-out of what his supporters consider to
be a positive development in the removal of Chairman of the Economic and Fina-ncial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mallam
Nuhu Ribadu. The source, which pleaded anonymity said: “the former governor is home- sick and coming to Nigeria this
week to face the EFCC.”

Igbinedion a few weeks to the hand over date on May 29, visited the EFCC headquarters, Abuja in company with his
father, Sir Gabriel Osawaru Igninedion, and made a comprehensive statement on the financial transanctions for the
eight years he was governor of Edo State. He has, however, not been declared wanted by the EFCC.

The source also said: “Since the former governor missed his father’s 73rd birthday and his traditional Christmas and
Igue festival conviviality as well as his much-cherished pleasantries with his boyhood friends, life has not been well
with him.” He was last seen in public outing at the handing over ceremony to the new governor, Prof. Oser-heimen
Osunbor May 29 at the Sam Ogbemudia Stadium where PDP youths attacked his car with pure water sachet and rained
insults on him over the allegedly poor performance of his administration in Edo State.

First to talk of his financial recklessness was Minister of the Interior, General Godwin Abbe (rtd), who headed the
transition committee that submitted a report detailing the debt profile left by Igbinedion. Osunbor came out three
months after he took over to say he met an empty treasury with the indebtedness of the state put at N11 billion.
Following the disclosure of an empty treasury, Osunbor had to quickly set up a probe panel to look into the financial
transactions of the state government. The sale of government buildings at the Government Reservation Area (GRA)
at ridiculously low prices is also being probed. The EFCC had since applied for the panel’s report from Edo State
Government to enable it file more charges against the ex-governor while his case file had been okayed for prosecution.

And you truly think this man[b] understands protecting the pride of Nigeria a[/b]nd getting his job done at the same time.
I don't think so>>>>>

Bigb1,

Per your above comment, what is the "pride of Nigeria" you are referring to, could that be 419 and corruption? Please stop
living in that little fantasy world of yours because Nigeria is an inconsequential nation, only known for its major exports: oil,
419, and corruption. If you don't know, ask somebody!

You will soon release how badly your praise singing have damage your life and the future of your children.
Since you have refuse to repent from your shameful acts,you all will surely pay for it.
Bye Ribadu,welcome 419 and By bye for foreign investors,bye bye bye international reputation for Nigeria.
Thank God the future of my children are safe here,although in a foreign land.

Please don't count on it - there is something inherently wrong in the Nigerian genes that causes them to
war against their collective interests. Tomorrow he will come hear complaining about rampaging armed
robbers, gullies in the middle of highways, fuel shortages,NEPA, etc. but it will never dawn on him that he
actively goes out campaigning for those things to remain entrenched. He said he went to his village, ask
him to narrate the ordeal of the trip.

NASS has every power to VETO this IGP

This rape is reversible, their is no need giving up.

I applaud your optimism, but I have learned to expect the worst from Nigeria.
I think the NASS will get the message that the coast is being cleared to get
back to business as usual.

It can happen but I don't see it, as doing the right thing for the greater good
of the country will be asking too much of Nigerian leaders.

The country is cursed. If the people don't react, pretty soon they will be singing praises of OBJ
and retracting all the abuses being reined on him lately. Yar Adua has no ideas and worst of all
no guts to stand against anyone. Say bye to Vision 2020 and welcome Darkness 2020.

i agree Emekanaija, the fight might just be starting now.

How naive as usual? Do any of you guys honestly expect anything out of an EFCC that will be overran and
bullied by the current AGF and a seeming uncaring president? Do you guys expect the new guy to have the
courage to go after anybody even those very close to the AGF or Yar Adua? The new guy will know that the
key to staying on the job is not touching the untouchables, otherwise he will be forced to go attend some
stupid course in Jos. People don't make me laugh!

Who the Bleep is this IBB? Are you referring to that thieving conniving chicken hearted general
who wanted to lead Nigeria again, but had to scurry away like a rat when OBJ put his foot down?
Please!

If indeed the problem is with Ribadu's performance, why not announce to the nation that he is being
fired for non-performance rather than the lies and deceit about some bullshit course that is yet to
produce any meaningful result for the country.

As you put it, do you reward someone that facilitates election rigging with attending a "strategic course"
or do you fire and prosecute them? No need to answer, because I know we do the opposite of everything
in Nigeria.

Today is perhaps the best day for Mohammed Banbangida and his father. Their message boy is
carrying on as usual with his meaningless babble on Nairaland.

@omofineboy

As regards Yaradua from my own assessment Yaradua in terms of FIGHTING Corruption has performed credibly well than Obasanjo. let those accusing him make honest comparision.

I am not sure you and I are living on the same planet,  but please give me a list of
Yar Adua's accomplishments in the anti-corruption crusade. I am waiting. . .

And for GOD's sake, all these people talking about how this move will  position him
to become an IGP, have you guys bothered to ask if Mr Ribadu is indeed interested
in becoming an IGP or continuing where he was at the EFCC?  

No matter what any one will say, the outside world (yours included) began to take
Nigeria seriously again when Ribadu and the EFCC came on the scene. Now, it seems
we missed the good ole days where Nigeria is synoyumous with 419 and corruption.
Yar Adua appears poised to get us there as fast as possible. He is surrounded by has
beens and there is clearly no single star out of all the appointments he has
made.

Nigeria is FINISHED as a country.  No, a single man does not make an
insitution, but YES, men like Ribadu were used to lay the foundation of
key institutions in progressive countries all over the world.

This country is hopeless and finished because it lacks men of vision. The
country is filled with leaders who sidelines and frustrates the personal
sacrifices of its best.  "President Reversal" has no guts or vision of his
and will continue to grope in the dark, and so will the country he is leading.
I sincerely hope that he is reversed out of Aso Rock by the tribunal.

I wish Mr. Ribadu the best - he gave his best to a nation that wished not
to care.  All this crap about selectivity and now his alliance with Buhari is
just complete crap dreamed up by moonbats who are sol blind they cant
see they are working against their personal interests.

I hope the plot succeeds before 2008! I am frankly sick of the lean and hungry looking "Casius" of a dude!!!!

I hope you get you New Year wish and a replacement that you will find not to be lean and hungry looking.
Talk about a case of misplaced anger? It beats me why someone will percieve Ribadu to be "the problem"
when it seems the president, his closest aides, and a good chunk of the political class are out to hinder the
EFCC.

Ribadu has made his mark in Nigeria. I believe about 6 months ago "the plot" to remove him was rife in the air,
but here we are again with a re-hatch of the same plot. I can only hope that this is something he really wants
to do, but not out of pressure.

How convenient? What is he still doing as a card carrying member of PDP then?
Please. . .

This is purely counter-productive - I did not read the thread from the beginning but are they
re-writing the state's books in Yoruba as well? How about all official state's communications?

I dey look and laugh. . . this to me appears to be the first real substantive policy or action
that Yar Adua has to formulate on his own, wouldn't it have been nice to simply REVERSE
what OBJ may have done in this case.

Seems like the darts are now gradually beginning to be focused on the right target other
than OBJ - the policy saboteurs are gearing up for a fight. . .