₦airaland Forum

Much ado about Ribadu
By Lai Olurode
I HAVE followed with keen interest, the debates about whether or not the former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (the EFCC) should proceed on study leave as recommended by his immediate boss, the Inspector General of Police. As would be expected, substantial emotional considerations became evident in the debates. How are we to summarise the arguments on both sides of the debates?

The case of those who insist that Ribadu should not proceed on study leave at the Nigerian Institute of Strategic Studies in Kuru, Jos, was first, that the proposed course was merely a smokescreen to shove aside the boisterous, versatile and most resourceful anti-corruption wizard. Probably without an inkling of the course contents, the course was adjudged as irrelevant. Secondly and in furtherance of this position, it was argued that some of the former governors and other ex-government functionaries who are being prosecuted and those to be are behind the plot to see to the exit of Ribadu.

Thirdly, the group canvassed the view that with Ribadu out of the EFCC, the body would become a toothless bulldog, and Nigeria and the Yar'Adua administration in particularly would be perceived globally as being unserious in the fight against corruption and the elevation of the slavish conditions of the generality of Nigerians. The thrust of their argument was that without Ribadu , Nigeria 's anti-corruption war would have reached its cul de sac. The platform on which the logic of the pro-Ribadu camp rested was not so much on legality but on morality. And as persuasive as moral reasoning may be, it may not have the force of law.

The other camp was simply irritated by the exaggeration of the role of the individual in social history as being marshaled by the first group. It therefore jettisoned the insinuation of the indispensability of Ribadu who in spite of his apparent invincibility remains a mere agent of social forces. I am here reminded of the 1940 work of G.P. Plekhanovv on The Role of Individual in History. The portrayal of the individual as having the power of a magician who makes things happen and thus become capable of making and unmaking social history is unacceptable to social historians. Thus the social forces under which the individual operate are not to be regarded as inconsequential.

It was reasoned that part of the social forces that create the Ribadu phenomenon were the press, the Nigerian publics including the non-governmental organisations, the security apparatuses of the state and other similar paraphernalia and without these, Ribadu would probably have been a forgotten individual - perhaps ordinary commissioner of police somewhere in the remotest part of Nigeria. It was not that Ribadu as an individual did not stamp his peculiar personal characteristics on the EFCC as an institution but, the limits are to be recognised.

Moreover, it was maintained that Ribadu's effectiveness was being exaggerated as he allowed himself and the EFCC under him to be willing tools of the Obasanjo's regime. His dogs could neither back nor bite members of Obasanjo's entourage nor Obasanjo himself even when it appeared that the then President was not as white as snow in the Senate Committee probe of the Petroleum Technology and Development Fund.

The anti-Ribadu group was of the view that the logic which was driving the pro-Ribadu lobbyists was cheap. Yes, the group knows the stuff of which Ribadu was made. But is the group sure that there are not better people outside there who could do better than Ribadu? This even speaks nothing of institution building. How can we simply believe that the institution already in place at the EFCC or that Nigerians would tolerate a feeble and fickle-minded EFCC executive?

More importantly is the question of the effectiveness of the EFCC. Has any evaluation been carried out? What were the criteria? Who were the evaluators? We should not forget that popular perceptions may in fact be unreal. This same EFCC never granted Chief Fasawe any breathing space and for no other reason other than his refusal to be Obasanjo's lackey in his desperation to implicate Atiku Abubakar. The same EFCC saw no wrongdoing in Obasanjo's executive recklessness in his abuse of executive power when he extorted money for his presidential library project and in granting licence to himself to own a university. And yet there are many more. Indeed, there has been too much ado about Ribadu. He better shapes up or ship out.

In all, the position of the anti-Ribadu group is unassailable. Really, but for the occasional sensations, it could not be readily concluded that Nigeria is better today in the struggle against corruption than say in the pre-Obasanjo's era when none pretended to be waging a crusade against corruption. The fact remains however that no Nigerian president has ever abused executive power the way Obasanjo did. Yet, he was popularly and globally perceived as fighting corruption. This general perception is however deficient in substance.

Obasanjo and his men had wanted to foist the third term agenda on us all under the guise of Obasanjo's miraculous performance and that God is not a god of abandoned project. We are now able to see through this propaganda. And most of us knew better however. Nigerians should allow Yar'Adua to free himself of Obasanjo's trappings.

Ladoja's description of Obasanjo as an emperor would be difficult to fault. He was a thorough dictator and Ribadu may never be able to muster enough strength to move either near Obasanjo or members of his entourage. Nigeria is greater than both Obasanjo and Ribadu combined.


Professor Olurode is of the Department of Sociology
University of Lagos

Culled from the Guardian.

ishmael:
Please lets stop putting the blames on yoruba/hausa/fulani, nupe, gwari, ebira, etc.

Because governors from those ethnic group did not steal a dime while in office. . . . . . rite?

texazzpete:
@ono
You people continually point to other cities that are far more developed than the SS states and whine. if all the other Governors had 'stolen what belonged to them', what would have been the result?

You want to tell me now that Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Kaduna were all developed to the level they are today by their state governments?! I think not!! Someone posted some pictures in another thread showing how Lagos' Broad Street looked like in the early 50s. And then, I went searching for the pictures of Warri in the 50s too. I wish I could lay my hands on the ones for Portharcourt.

You know I like coming down to earth when it comes to this Niger Delta palava; and I want to tell you categorically that those places became whatever they are today largely through the influence of the Federal Government and injection of the proceeds of crude oil sales. You can take that or drop it. I don't care. But I know you'll acknowledge that fact.

Now, the question everyone is asking is: Why is it that after 50 years of oil exploitation in the Delta, the gains from oil can only be visibly seen in these places, while the creeks and riverine areas of the Delta remains the way they are after 50 years. . . . with no visible signs of development? Don't put any blame on the militants and criminals in the area. They only ''surfaced'' some 5 or 6 years ago.

How about telling me in details what's crappy about it?

Bros,
Where have you been? Hilarious!

And all these charges against him were ''recorded'' between 2003 and 2007 - his second term in office?

What about the catalogue of charges for 1999-2003? Waiting!

[quote author=Iyke-D link=topic=102427.msg1840252#msg1840252 date=1200001148]Bigb1 - over to you and your friends. Ribadu has given you and co. his permission
to sell any property belonging to him that is yet to be declared. The beauty of it is
that you don't even to inform him. Oya - you guys can quickly sell the Dubai house![/quote]It's easy to say that. All we can do now is to give enough time to allow the pawpaw ripen. Then we'll take it up from there. Not all that's on the pages of naija newspapers should be taken deeply and seriously. Only time will help reveal who's fooling who. Beside, only the Punch has come out to state this. Let other paper corroborate Punch's claims.

It's amazing how he procured the same company with different amount of monies at different times. Well, I just hope these charges are true, because I don't see him keeping records of all his financial dealings so that EFCC will later used these to press charges against him.

On a second thought, why would one leave traces of his financial misdeeds so that wolves like EFCC will come chasing one to the gallows. Are these governors plain gullible or just blind. Beats me. Besides, how did the EFCC get all these data and information? Might sound dumb or something, but can someone tell me how, please.

But, why don't we have laws that can quickly checkmate whatever bad deal a governor is planning, rite at the point of conception?

ndubest:
Read this

http://www.guardiannewsngr.com/news/article18//indexn2_html?pdate=100108&ptitle=EFCC%20denies%20Ribadu%20owns%20houses%20in%20Dubai,%20Abuja

Ibori also owns shares (with the money stolen from Delta State govt money) in the Guardian. In fact, he owns shares in every newspaper publishing house in Nigeria.

texazzpete:
Ask your Governors what they did with the 'Ijaw Oil Wealth'

Nice. I never knew that Alams that stole at least N50bn of Ijaw wealth was a Yoruba man. . .So much for 'Governor-General of ijaw nation'

From my reckoning and calculations, the average Niger Deltan should be so wealthy by now, that he/she should have at least 100billion naira doing something for him/her in one business, shares, properties or other things in Nigeria.

So, that Alams ''stole'' what rightly belonged to him in the first place still baffles me. The real thieves are the people sitting somewhere up there in Abuja deciding how the resources from Alams' land should be shared to folks in dry and arid states like Ogun, Edo, Jigawa, Zamfara, Maiduguri, etc etc

nigeria1:
sorry, Ijawland does not constitute most part of the Niger delta. It is about 20 %. Check your fact.

http://NigeriaPlanet.tk

Erm, erm, er Nigeria1, I said Ijaw land constitute a ''large portion'' of the Delta. . . . . . . . that did not translate in anyway to MOST PARTS. In any case, 20% of the Delta to one tribe there is still large enough.

Most progressive societies have agreed rules/regulations, binding on all, no matter how wealthy or poor the person is, governing their day to day conduct in every sphere of human endeavour. . . . . . . I'm talking about the constitution of the nation.

A constitution generally agreed on by ''everybody'' in a society as the guiding arm, the lever of the society, the system, is bound to produce worthy leaders, followers, subordinates, presidents, senators etc. But a constitution imposed on people by feudal lords, their protege and offsprings is bound to produce terrible ''fruits''. . . . , . . . . .the result of which we're seeing and experiencing first hand in Nigeria. Let the constitution of the country be prepared by reps from all the people, tribes and states in this country. Let them come under one roof and debate and agree on how this nation should be governed. Let them decide how our elections should be conducted, and let them clearly spell out the consequences of failing to abide by the constitution.

Also, let us have a virile law enforcement agents. . . . . . free of corruption, well funded and responsible/accountable to no one but the ''people''.

So, to a large extent, the system is responsible. But also, we've been plagued by locusts parading themselves as leaders in this country, and this is also responsible for our woes in a way.

While there's no doubt that Ijaw land constitute a large portion of the Niger Delta, let us not lose sight of the fact that there are other ethnic groups in the Niger Delta who are daily being improverished by the activities of oil exploiters. These people - the Urhobos, Isokos, Itsekiris, Kwales, Ikwerres, Ogonis, Akwa, etc have a stake in the delta too.

You should turn your topic to ''Building the Niger Delta'' and let reasonable people contribute.

linuxuser:
Did they not know of all this while he was in office Where were all his accusers when he was in office a couple of weeks ago by Kobojunkie

Over to you BIGB1. May be you can help us with an answer that is guided by the TRUTH and a PURE CONSCIENCE.

Well, at the time he was in office, no one dared raised a finger against the anointed one - just like he couldn't prosecute thieving governors while they were in office. But now, he's a yeoman, stripped of every privileges and sent back to school. So, why won't the news come out from no where?

Also, why did he not come out with all the charges brought against Ibori recently while Ibori was in office? Why did he wait until the guy was out of office? This is a case of tit for tat.

youngies:
The Iboris, Nwude's, Anajemba's, Odilis, Dariyes, Nnamanis, Atikus, Tafas, Kalus, Turakis, IOBs, Nyames, Ajiduas, and now adding the Igbinedions certainly is a formidable enemy, . . . . . . .

You forgot to include the OBJs, IBBs, Ubas, Georges, Anenihs, and Ribadus. . . . .yes, the Ribadus of this country.

dayokanu:
I don't know if Ribadu collected or rejected bribe from anybody as all those reports are still largely unconfirmed by the police.

The way he dropped Bode george's NPA case shows that he is a man teleguided by OBJ and his cronies.

Solid Point.

Dgurl:
whatever dey like let them say nd do. dammy's own is that one day ll come 4 all of them
one day 4 obasanjo
one day 4 yaradua
, one day 4 nuhu ribadu
nd one day too 4 efcc as a whole.

LoL!! Childish.

McKren:
Ono

This is just an internet forum, and no matter what happens we are brothers and compatriots (at least even if you will like to object to that we carry the same passport)

If you disagree with anything I say feel free to criticize it directly.

Oh! OK. Will do.

Big B1:
McKren:
Calm down and stay focused; that was a joke.

My brother, make I warn you about expensive jokes. I pulled that stunt in one ''igbo'' thread like that. In the end, I got my fingers burnt.

Sometimes, it takes a[b] thief to know a thief[/b].

Ivvie:
I don't know your definition of appeal but the 2007 Camry is one of the ugliest cars on the road today besides the 300C. Also, it's the cheapest Camry ever built, plastic everywhere.

That's true. Beside, I understand that 2007 Camry is actually the 2008 version of Camry! Now, Honda has already released the 2008 version of the Honda Accord. Just visit the Honda website to see 2008 Honda Accord, and you'll know that no Camry can compete with the Accord when it comes to all those yardsticks mentioned up there.

Also, it has been confirmed that the 2008 Accord has beaten the 2008 Camry. See Motor Trend ''Battle of the Benchmarks''

dayokanu:
Akunyili with all her good works got involved too thats why the Amala politician though senile told the whole world how she came to kneel down for ministerial nomination and she could not give any effective reply. Adedibu is mad but I have just been wondering why we have no decent reply from NAFDAC.

Summary Ribadu's sack is fully supported.

Now this is news. She did that? Hmn. Naija we hail thee.

This may not sound palatable to many of you, but I believe this is the truth and nothing but the truth why Nigeria has remained backwards and may never progress.

The main source of government revenue in this country is crude oil . Now, you all will agree with me that the oil sector employs less than 5% of the nation's workforce. Also, government and some foreigners controls practically everything about crude oil - from exploration to sales. And the average Nigerian knows nothing about crude oil exploitation - never mind that the about 200,000 strong members of Nairaland constitute just a minute or negligible fraction of the over 140 million Nigerians out there. Take for example, someone in far away Zamfara. He sees whoever is at the helm if affairs in there constructing substandard roads, schools etc with less than 5% of what goes to the state coffers. For him/her, he/she's happy! Government is doing something. They careless as to where the money with which government is doing all these things comes from - and even if he/she knows, he's too pauperised to want to start asking too many questions. And what about the folks in power? They exploit this opportunity to defraud the populace to the maximum. What the hell! it's not their tax, their lands or their families monies that's paying the bills. It's the money they shared at Aso Villa from the proceeds of the sales of crude oil.

So, the first reason is that the money with which Nigeria runs government is largely not from taxpayers. It's easy money. Wealth which only the ''strong'' can lay claim to and squander with impunity and no one dares question him/her while he/she is at it.


Secondly, the constitution of this country wasn't truly designed by the people. It was designed by feudal lords, their offsprings and their protege. We need a constitution that's truly ours. Until then, we will not progress.

I always knew we'll get to this sorry pass in Kenya. At the time I read about the wife's behaviour in public and I believe at home, I knew Kenya's in for some ''shakings''. What's so difficult in loosing and accepting defeat? - It must be ''free money'' from tourism activities in the country. . . . , . just like ''oily'' money's keeping Najia leaders from leaving when their time's over.

Priscila:
Comparing US and Kenya is like comparing an elephant and a mouse the only similarity is that they both have tails.
And to my suprise thats what Kibaki government is backing on saying that even Bush rigged.

Now Kibaki told Desmond Tutu in a peace talk recently that he could not stand the humiliation being the only president in Africa to be ousted after only one term and with foot in mouth he said he is ready to form a coalition government with ODM who are majority in parliament so long as his PNU is recognised as governing party.

Someone deliberately steals an election to start negotiations. Phew!

Kibaki said that?! Whither Africa?

Bibi,
I honestly will like for you to whet our appetite. Please just give us a fraction of what you know, and we'll take it up from there. I personally find it somewhat difficult that this Ribadoo Scooby Doo guy did not take bribe from anyone. See, all these people saying senior officers close to the guy said this and that only rely on hearsay. Beside, why would anyone close to Ribadu - senior or junior want to say anything negative about the man? What does the fellow stand to gain by maligning the image of a man that has favour with OBJ at the time and is in charge? Abeg spare me the senior officers gist.

How about asking Senior officers who were not close to him at the time. Ask them and lets hear their reaction. Bibi, abeg give us your own side of the story.

bibiking1:
i personally know a man Ribadu collected bribe from as EFCC chairman so pleae lets stick to facts and not hearsay

Ok, Things are getting pretty hot in here. Bibi, please tell us more.

Teriba:
. . . . . . . But fundamentally speaking, I do not see how we can say that one is not better than the other,  . . . . . . .

For me to compare OBJ and IBB without bias, my take is that IBB should be given another chance to right all the wrongs he committed in this country during his first tenure as president. . . . . afterall, OBJ was given a second chance to do that. But in OBJ's case, he blew the opportunity. What do you think?

Teriba:
I`m all for the arrest of Obasanjo and his family, but you may want to promise me that Babangida will not be left behind, and that whenever the President and his men engage in corruption, our new corruption tsar will do what Ribadu couldn`t.

Agree. Infact, I expected that by now, OBJ should be back in Yola prison, drinking well water. But we understand that he's built the equivalent of IBB Hiltop mansion in Minna at Abeokuta GRA. We now have a Hiltop Mansion in Abeokuta - it's amazing how ex-Generals now delight in building Hiltop mansions. And I can only pray that IBB roast in prison for all his misdeeds.

Chief Babasin,
let me help you with the link to the brilliant write up by Sly.

[url]http://www.guardiannewsngr.com/editorial_opinion/article03//indexn2_html?pdate=040108&ptitle=Ribadu's%20sin[/url]

babasin:
well blame your OBJ.

atleast OBJ rigged and selected YARA-DULL.

when OBJ was after ATIKU you are all happy now that OBJ annoited is there another songs. Nigerians na wa!

My brother, the thing tire person sef. When Atiku was doing all he can to succeed OBJ, it's these same set of people who said the guy must not set foot on Aso Villa grounds. The frustrated the guy, chased him to his US home and ridiculed him. Even EFCC was used as a tool to rubbish whatever good he did at the time, so that OBJ can have thuurd term at Aso Villa.

Now, a ''duly'' appointed and anointed son of OBJ is here, even when we thought he died of complications from kidney infection, OBJ came out to call him ''Umoru'' how are you doing in Germany?. Now, they're making noise and exhibiting signs of frustrations. Na wa o. It's really difficult to satisfy Nigerians.