Sodiq Oyeleke
Former Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission Chairman Mallam Nuhu Ribadu has explained how the commission started
in 2003 and the controversies that contributes to its challenges.
Ribadu revealed this while delivering
a lecture at the 2012 Management Day organised by the Nigerian Institute of
Management on the theme “National development and mismanagement : Forces at
opposite poles” on Tuesday in Lagos.
He said, “About 14 of us started the
commission and with only five cars, we persevered and refused to be bought over
like the Nigerian Police Force. We perform our duty diligently and objectively
to achieve the aim of the commission.”
He noted that the in-effectiveness of
the commission was caused by the corrupt act of the leaders who do not want to
be checked for their mismanagement.
He added, “I understand that the
establishment of the EFCC was a step forward and therefore, it will be
surprising to you that we never had any trial from EFFCC by a regular court.
So, if it is one single achievement, count it and move on it is better than
none. But certainly we could do better.
“The EFCC that will work so hard
suffered a terrible setback at the point when those who thought they were God
and could do what they like with our country did what they wanted, but glory be
to God who held them back where are they today? They are nowhere. If you like,
I can name names.”
The Chairman, Petroleum Revenue
Special Task Force explained that the commission got its freedom after several
challenges from those at the corridor of power in the country.
He narrated, “The entire generality
of Nigeria then, the President, Vice President, Secretary to the Government,
Head of Police, about seven to eight of them all lined up to put me directly in
front of them, to confront them. Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo told me ‘you
are going back to the police’.
“It was then it started. Not long
after that some people were complaining that if they were not careful, this boy
from the police will come and destroy the government. Everybody there
complained one by one. Some people said ‘Nuhu you don’t have the necessary
experience, this is not how to do the work’ but at the end of the day, one of
them said lets not crucify him let’s give him chance to say something before we
pass a judgement, and I said I thank you very much for giving me the chance to
serve my country. I faced Obasanjo and told him that the constitution of
Nigeria gave only you the responsibility of enforcing law and accountability. You
are the one that God will ask if Chairmen of Local Governments, Governors of
States steal.
“I further explained to them that all
what we are trying to do was to set up a commission that will be able to carry out
that responsibility. You cannot keep giving billions to people and there will
be nothing to call for it, we just want to ensure that they are punished
according to the law.
“They don’t want that, they are
comfortable with Governors to do what they like and nobody should ask them. I
emphasised that the whole idea of EFCC is to check and ensure responsibility
and accountability. I said that to Obasanjo and he just got out and he said ‘o pari’, that was how I got my freedom.”
While commenting on the effect of
negotiation for injustice in the commission and whether he will not compromise
is principle in the government service, he said, “I never for ones did a plea
bargaining when I was in EFCC.
“I worked in Nigeria Police Force for
27 years and I can swear that I have never taken a bribe, wallahi-talahi. I can be in any company and survive. I will remain
the Ribadu that I have always been,” he added.
The former Action Congress of Nigeria
presidential candidate also condemned the Federal Government approach to
providing solution to the security challenges faced by the country.
He said, “It is a very sad thing, but
it is the responsibility of the government at the same time all of us, if I
were Boko Haram I will be very happy because nobody is doing anything.”
He urged that all governmental
agencies should be allowed to perform their duty without interference.
For instance, he said, “The tragedy
about police is that for a long time it was an institution that has been
neglected, disregarded and disrespected. We should know that it is the only
constitutional body in Nigeria with the responsibility of enforcing law and
order, but over the years because of the military control, the police was never
given the chance to really develop and be an institution that will do its own responsibility,
up till now the military are still in charge of the security of Nigeria.”
He, however, refused to make any
comment on his position on the fuel subsidy removal policy.
“I am chairing the task force in that
capacity, I am doing a lot of things and will rather keep quiet now until the
time will come when I will have to address that,” he said.
Written by NEWSTRAWL ONLINE UPDATE
Sodiq Oyeleke is a Media, Human Resources, Project Management and Public Relations Practitioner
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