Ribadu let off the hook

There are indications that the formal withdrawal of the case of non-declaration of assets against Ribadu is to pave way for him to come back from self exile and take part in the government of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. There are speculations that he may be appointed a Special Adviser to the President on anti-corruption […]

There are indications that the formal withdrawal of the case of non-declaration of assets against Ribadu is to pave way for him to come back from self exile and take part in the government of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.

There are speculations that he may be appointed a Special Adviser to the President on anti-corruption matters.

Ribadu who was appointed head of the EFCC in 2003 by former President Olusegun Obasanjo had so many admirers for his hard-line approach to fighting corruption but his critics insisted he was only out to witch-hunt his boss’s enemies.

The Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) in Abuja, last Thursday struck out the charges that Ribadu had failed to declare his assests while in office as required by law.

Acting Chairman of the tribunal, Murtala Sani, struck out the case at a sitting witnessed by Ribadu’s lawyer, Femi Falana, former FCT Minister, Nasir el-Rufai and other associates.

Former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Michael Aondoakaa had filed the case but the immediate past AGF, Adetokunbo Kayode, ordered the withdrawal of the case when Jonathan was made acting president, and that signaled that grounds were being laid for the return of the former anti-corruption crusader.

Sani also discharged the bench warrant earlier issued against Ribadu in November last year for failing to appear before the tribunal. The AGF has powers under Section 174 of the Nigerian Constitution to discontinue any litigation relating to a federal offense at any time before judgement.

Falana said the withdrawal was not a favour to his client as they had already tendered the assets declaration form submitted by Ribadu to the Code of Conduct Bureau.

Reacting to the withdrawal of the case, Ribadu said that he was delighted “justice had been done.

“I’m happy, I’m pleased. I’m an innocent person who has been persecuted for such a long period of time,” he told the BBC Focus on Africa programme.

Ribadu said the Yar’adua administration who had brought the case against him had been abusing state institutions to persecute him and stop him from fighting corruption.

“These guys were desperate to destroy everything that was done on the ground and they started with me. They wanted to kill me and I left the country,” he said.

“Luckily, we have a new government that is refusing to go in the direction of the former leadership – or the leadership that is not in office now,” he said.

“They decided to do what is right and therefore, just withdrew the charges against me.”