Police Commission reinstates Ribadu

[bamalli]

•Ex-EFCC boss retires as AIG

Ribadu
Seventeen months after his dismissal, former Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) chair Nuhu Ribadu was yesterday reinstated and retired as Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG).

The Police Service Commission (PSC), which fired him in December 2008, reinstated him after a marathon meeting in Abuja yesterday.

A member of the PSC, Comfort Obi, told The Nation last night: "It is true that Ribadu has been reinstated and retired as AIG with effect from December 22, 2008. We met, reviewed his case and took the decision."

Obi, declined further comments.

A source however gave a background to how Ribadu was reinstated.

The source said: "Last Tuesday when the PSC was having its meeting, President Goodluck Jonathan sent for the Chairman Mr. Parry Osayande over Ribadu's fate.

"They both discussed the case and the President pleaded with the Chairman to review the dismissal of Ribadu.

"The President said he had been under pressure from the international community, especially the United States and the United Kingdom. He also admitted that given the circumstance of his emergence as President he could not ignore the pressure.

"Osayande admitted that Ribadu did well at the beginning in the Force but later derailed. The PSC chairman x-rayed the good and bad sides of Ribadu for the President.

"He also highlighted the implications of such a review on discipline and morale within the Force if Ribadu is reinstated as a Police Officer. Osayande said retirement would be the best option.

"But Osayande said Ribadu must write a letter of appeal and ask for a review of his case. The PSC also insisted that Ribadu must 'show sign of remorse' by writing a letter to plead for a review of his dismissal.

"We were of the opinion that Ribadu's case could not be reviewed with Executive Fiat. We insisted on due process. So, we asked the ex-EFCC chairman to write officially to the Police Service Commission.

"After the receipt of Ribadu's letter on Friday through his lawyer, we decided to meet on Monday to consider it on merit and then decided his fate."

The source, however, said the PSC ruled out Ribadu's reinstatement because of its effect on discipline among the rank and file.

He said: "We chose to retire Ribadu to enable him forge ahead in his career or future endeavours. The ex-EFCC chairman sought reinstatement into the Force but we opted for retirement.

"We also wanted him to withdraw all cases in court against the Police Service Commission and the Nigeria Police."

It was learnt that the review will enable Ribadu to play a key role in the Jonathan administration as Special Adviser on Corruption.

Ribadu's travails began in August 2008 when he was demoted from AIG to Deputy Commissioner of Police. No fewer than 139 other officers were also affected.

His attitude to the demotion was said to be against Police Force regulations.

Following Ribadu's alleged recalcitrance, former Inspector-General of Police (IG) Mike Okiro on November 25 raised a seven-man panel to try him on December 4.

Members of the disciplinary committee then were all the Deputy Inspectors-General of Police (Ogbonna Onovo, who is now IGP; Uba Ringim, Yusuf Haruna, Adeoye Adedayo, John Ahmadu Hamzat and Gazali Lawal) and then Force Secretary Udom Ekpoudom.

The allegations levelled against Ribadu included acts prejudicial to state security and conduct unbecoming of a public officer under the Public Service Rules.

Ribadu shunned the committee; leading to his dismissal.

He was dismissed in December 2008 for "acts of gross indiscipline, insubordination and absence from duty, which are singularly and collectively acts punishable under rules 030401 of the Public Service Rules 2006."

Ribadu sued the IG over his sack. The government said it was wrong of him to have sued the police because he needed permission to do so.

At the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, near Jos, Ribadu was disallowed from graduating but Dr Jonathan who was then the chairman later ordered a special ceremony for him.

Ribadu was accused of not declaring his assets at the Code of Conduct Bureau – a case many thought was to bring him back to Nigeria.

The matter was later withdrawn by the government.

Ribadu's name has been mentioned in connection with some high profile jobs, including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) chairman. He was said to have turned this down because he is below 50, the minimum age for the job

Frm:The Nation