By Idris Isyaku Abdullahi
Nuhu Ribadu, the incorruptible Mallam of our era and the first pioneer chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), is a name that rings bell almost in every household across Nigeria and beyond because of his outstanding performance in every office he occupied, particularly in the last two decades. His name became a household name in Nigeria when he was appointed to head the anti-graft agency by then President Olusegun Obasanjo from 2003-2007. Mallam, as he is fondly called, made EFCC the most performing agency then because of excellent, selfless and competent services he rendered and the subsequent achievements recorded.
It was during his tenure that most corrupt politicians and public office holders were brought to book over various but grave corruption charges. The brave and fearless Mallam touched those who thought they were untouchable, and they all ended up in various prisons. Interestingly, contrary to what some misguided critics that he was being used by Obasanjo to witch-hunt the latter’s political opponents, most of the people that were arrested by the EFCC under Ribadu were all convicted and sent to jail by competent courts of law.
Under Ribadu, EFCC issued thousands of indictment and achieved about 270 convictions. One notable case was that of his boss, then Inspector General of Police Tafa Balogun, who was convicted, jailed and made to return £150 million under a plea bargain. Bode George, DSP Alamieyeseigha were not all spared by EFCC. These are incredible records!
It is common knowledge that one of the arrested politicians James Ibori offered $15 million bribe and a mansion abroad to the EFCC boss so that his case will be closed. But as expected of the no-nonsense and honest police officer, Ribadu turned down the offer that can turn his fortune to become a billionaire! And deposited the money in the Central Bank of Nigeria to serve as evidence against Ibori of Delta state, who was cooling his heels in UK prison! How many of us can actually do this, in all honesty? Sincerely, credit must be given to Mallam whether we like it or not. It saddens me whenever I read negative comments about Ribadu, even though I don’t expect everyone to like him, but it’s quite unfortunate when people who made a lot of sacrifices and served their fatherland diligently are not much celebrated in their home land. Is it a deliberate attempt to let the labour of our heroes present go in vain? While in the service of Nigeria Police Force and EFCC, Ribadu diligently served his motherland and recorded tremendous achievements unsurpassed in the history of EFCC. The most notable amongst his achievements are the delisting of Nigeria from the FATF’s list of non-cooperative countries and territories, admission into the prestigious Egmont Group and the withdrawal of US Treasury advisory on Nigeria by the FINCEN. These, together with many unmentioned achievements, were critical to the perception of Nigeria globally.
Retired AIG Nuhu Ribadu is a recipient of several awards as a police officer, prosecutor and chairman of EFCC. He received the IGP special awards in 1997, 1998 and 2000. In 2008, he received the World Bank’s Jit Gill memorial award for outstanding public service for having led a courageous anti-corruption drive in Nigeria as head of EFCC. In June 2010, he was awarded a Doctor of Laws (honoris causa) by Babcock University Ogun state, in recognition of his resolute change as well as his fierce stance against corruption in the face of sponsored disgrace and certain death that has resulted into positive changes and global acclaim hitherto considered impossible. Since 2014, notable newspapers and magazines have repeatedly voted Dr Ribadu as man of the year, in recognition of his outstanding achievements as a committed crusader against corruption and other related crimes.
One may still wish to criticize Ribadu if he/she so desire, but his outstanding achievements can’t be taken away from him. The diligent and excellent services he rendered to his fatherland was not only recognized in Nigeria, but internationally. His outstanding performance later earned him a job as UN Special Envoy to Afghanistan. The Adamawa born politician, TED fellow and a Senior Fellow in St. Anthony’s College of University of Oxford, London has since written his name in gold, especially when he accepted defeat in the 2015 gubernatorial elections in his state, losing to the APC candidate. Obviously, Ribadu was the best governor Adamawa couldn’t have because of his party affiliation then (PDP), not because he lacks the basic qualities to govern the good people of Adamawa state. But as a true believer, Mallam accepted the outcome of the elections in good faith and congratulated Jibrila Bindow, knowing that power belongs to Allah alone, and He gives it to whosoever He wishes and at any time. This is something very rare to get among our politicians, but Nuhu stands out to be entirely different among today’s politicians. Ribadu received the ‘Game Changer’ award by ThisDay newspaper 2015 for initiating a series of no-nonsense measures as chairman of EFCC and for giving individuals with questionable character a big chase.
Ribadu, the greatest anti-corruption Czar Africa has ever witnessed has indeed shone among stars, led among leaders and shown what it takes to be a great agent of change. At the moment, he is the most adorable and celebrated politician in Nigeria and is gaining aggressive popularity both home and abroad on daily basis. It’s my candid opinion that it will take a decade or more before any politician can compete with Mallam in terms of popularity, acceptance and public goodwill. Sir, as you celebrate your 57th birthday today being, 21/11/2017, Nigerians are proud of you and wishing you all the good things that life can offer.
May Allah (SWT) continue to shower you with more blessings, grace, good health, wisdom and knowledge to contribute more to the development of Adamawa state in particular, and Nigeria in general.
Dabo writes from Zaria
This article was written in November 2016 to celebrate the 56th Birthday of the greatest anti-corruption Czar Africa has ever witnessed Mallam (Dr) Nuhu Ribadu, and is edited for the same purpose in November 2017 to celebrate his 57th Birthday
