Is Nuhu Ribadu in a helpless situation?, by Abubakar M. Kareto
During Olusegun Obasanjo regime, Governors and millionaires were worried when Ribadu mentioned their names publicly; one minister was fired from office, and three of Nigeria’s 36 governors were impeached within two years due to pressure from the EFCC. Even the police chief, Ribadu’s boss at the time, was tried, convicted and given a prison sentence.
Rejecting a $15 million bribe from James Ibori, a former governor of Delta State, are an obvious demonstration of Nuhu Ribadu’s high degree of integrity. Ribadu stated in September 2013 during his testimony before a London Crown Court that Ibori had given him the cash. His evidence was accepted by the Crown Court, which resulted in Ibori’s conviction. There were so many cases Ribadu did that no EFCC boss after him was able to achieve.
It was during Nuhu Ribadu’s tenure that the EFCC’s advisory list led to the loss of offices for several politicians, with the late Usman Albishir being a notable example. After defeating the late Mamman Ali in the primary election of their party, the ANPP, the EFCC released a list of corrupt politicians and warned parties that fielding them would be at their own risk.
In 2018, to acknowledge his successes as chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Malam Nuhu Ribadu was recognised alongside seven other individuals and organisations globally for their efforts in fighting corruption.
The winners, drawn from Asia, America, Africa, Oceania, and Europe, were celebrated in an event held in Putrajaya, Malaysia. Rarely does an African receive this award, as the continent seldom produces a worthy individual. All these are facts and easily verifiable.
The African Union, World Bank, and United Nations appointed Ribadu to boards and committees on recovery of stolen assets.
In fact, when Nuhu Ribadu was appointed by Bola Tinubu as NSA Transparency International’s Rafsanjani said “Appointing credible figures to key positions is a time-honoured tactic that kleptocratic regimes around the world use to inoculate themselves against domestic and international criticism.”
Being caught swimming, wining, and dining with individuals he once accused of corruption while he was the head of the EFCC has put Ribadu in an even more helpless position. Is it possible that Nuhu Ribadu is still being suggested as a saint? To answer this is purely a matter of individuals critical thinking and reasoning.
Could Ribadu be in a similar predicament as an animal stumbling into a jungle in Nigeria? Be ready to dine and drink your way through any social circle if you want to be a politician. You will also have to find the answer to this one on your own.
Unfortunately, everyone thinks, that every Nigerian is corrupt because the country and its leadership is in shambles. Being an active participant in government almost always leaves one with no room to escape corruption charges.
Nuhu Ribadu is indeed in a difficult and nearly helpless situation to come clean.
Abubakar M Kareto
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