The news reached me in Canada where I was participating in a conference whose theme, with a humiliating appropriateness was – UNDERSTANDING NIGERIA. I do not recollect when last I focused all my psychic energies so intensely on one objective only: that the news would not spread among our hosts, and local participants. There comes a saturation point when one’s last wish, even under imminent execution, is to be spared having to answer one more question about yet another negative development from homeland, no matter whether one’s response would be defensive, or in condemnatory agreement.
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Sooner or later, repetition numbs the mind, renders it incapable of absorbing even the shock of the familiar. The escalation of a known tendency in its operations produces only a slightly different effect, one of delay – a brief moment of disbelief, bewilderment, and then – mind seizure. It was a deed of empathy that the weather in Toronto was freezing the body into near immobility – it helped to establish a state of equilibrium between body and soul – for once, I was grateful for inclement weather!
There were other Nigerian participants, flown in especially for the conference from the University of Port Harcourt, among them, the Vice-Chancellor himself. It was, after all, collaboration on health and developmental projects with the University of Toronto and Massey College. The Nigerian embassy was fully involved, the Ambassador making use the opportunity to clean up the image of Nigeria in his foreign constituency. He should consider himself very lucky. If the news had percolated through the conference, and I had been approached for a comment, I would have denied all knowledge and directed my questioner to him, as the government representative. Not for the first time, I felt genuine pity for Nigeria’s diplomats abroad, obliged to explain the reasoning behind official, high-handed assaults on the simplest demands of natural justice, a disdain for plain, common decency towards individual deserving, such as that which took place at the NIPSS graduation ceremony, Kuru, on Saturday, 22 November .
Frankly, when I received the first phone call, I refused at first to believe it. Not until I had spoken to an eyewitness, who fleshed out the details of this latest public obscenity, would I accept that, once again, the persecution of a faithful servant of the nation had plunged beyond prior depths, turning Nuhu Ribadu, former arrowhead of the battle against corruption, into a pincushion for the sadistic games of reprobates and recidivists latched to the ear of power.Criminal impunity has scaled the peaks of public glory; it basks in the rays of official endorsement, confident in the collaboration of executive agencies. Its message is transparent and comprehensive. Just one example, an institutional sabotage, no less: there was a great deal of controversy over the choice of Nuhu Ribadu’s replacement at the head of the anti-corruption agency, the EFCC. In the end however, to cushion public resignation, there remained the hope that Madam Farida Waziri might actually feel challenged by the record of her predecessor and proceed to prove herself.
But now, after the Kuru act of malevolent triumphalism against Ribadu, the efforts of that replacement, however genuine and dedicated, are permanently compromised, since this message is also for her: tread on any powerful toes, and see what will also happen to you.National looting is now consecrated. So far, what we have largely witnessed and, for some, personally endured, has been the phenomenon of exposed criminals brazenly and confidently turning on their accusers with slanderous fabrications, a frenzied muddying of the waters to obscure clear vision and sap the resolve of witnesses of truth with assassination tactics, directed either at their pursuers’ character and reputation or indeed, towards their physical elimination. So many unexplained murders, especially in the past decade are traceable to efforts to nail the miscreants and cleanse institutions of cabals of impunity. The resolve to silence and block channels of exposure is as old as the nation itself – remorseless, crude, unscrupulous and lavishly funded.
With the latest assault on Nuhu Ribadu, however, the nation has been invited to understand that such responses are indeed the formal manifestation of the culture of power, transmitted in all its mottled panoply and in circumstances where no ambiguity is involved, no alternative interpretation possible.We learn that Vice-President Goodluck Jonathan, who was present at the scene, has since requested that Ribadu’s certificate be handed over to him. Until this moment however – five days after the event and despite public outcry – there has been no official repudiation of the actual incident – the expulsion of Ribadu and his family from the graduation hall. Evidently, such conduct is considered the norm within the Presidency and the nation must prepare to witness recurrences, dedicated to the same end, no matter the variations.
Understanding Nigeria? The Canadian conference organisers should have saved themselves the energy and expense by substituting the theme – UNDERMINING Nigeria. A single session would suffice, consisting of a report from an eyewitness directly from the scene, and a government respondent, ideally the Inspector-General of Police, or the Director of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, under whose watch this affront was perpetrated. Then the world would be left to form its own judgement, without the interventions of experts, analysts and other ‘busybodies’. It would identify, once for all, just who consistently undermine the nation – the hidden forces, or those who openly bear witness. The Kuru episode is not merely symptomatic or symbolic, it is summative. The last word has been spoken and it is nothing less than an ideological pronouncement. The instigators of this event, and the silent complicity of governance, have set the seal of doom on all efforts for moral sanitisation. The anti-419 labour has been rendered meaningless and hypocritical. Not that this is new knowledge, but this latest act of indecent self-expsosure identifies its perpetrators – by act or silent connivance–as the Supreme 419 Godfathers.
It is possible of course that Ribadu has committed some unspeakable crime, and with his family as accessories, that they should all be subjected to such public indignity on a day when all this man required, as of right, was to collect his hard-earned certificate. Like a loyal officer, he had accepted his posting on a ‘refresher course’, completed that course and was owed his diploma by the institution. For whatever else he felt were his dues, he had appropriately consigned his fate, as a law enforcement citizen, to the judiciary. However, his very presence was seen to besmirch the police escutcheon, and he was expelled from a public gathering, while his family underwent the same humiliation. Surely, their crime must have been one that makes decent citizens hold their noses.
Well then, if the crime that earned such treatment is not revealed, perhaps the public should take a hand. The public trial of his former boss, Olusegun Obasanjo may have to be shelved for a while – that is a long-term, protracted project in any case–while we tackle this public menace, Nuhu Ribadu, and place him in the dock. The government, the police and all other aggrieved citizens should be invited to appear in their own persons or send representatives so that we know, once for all, and reveal to the entire world just what ‘evil genius’ has lorded it over the EFCC these past years until the nation was rescued from his wiles. So far, all we have encountered have been persistent, all-engrossing efforts to protect the nation from this silent contagion. I invite civil organisations to commence preceedings to reinforce the patriotic efforts of Ribadu’s persecutors, with a civil exercise in public enlightenment. Let us put this menace on trial!
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oladeji oluwafemi richard
5 December 2008 22:33i have never seen such a show of shame like the one in the case of Nuhu Ribadu .i do not know what i will tell my seven year old son who knows for certain that Ribadu is a hero of the Nation that the Yardua “s goverment thinks otherwise.why?I ask this question ,why?
Abegunde L A
5 December 2008 22:53The humilation of Nuhu Ribadu indicates the lukewarm attitude of the president of the federal republic of Nigeria to national issues,
It indicates that the curruption in high places in nigeria may never be cured and it is a very big disappointment.
Ribadu was accused of selected justice ,the government is now persecuting him using the IG and the EFCC what a shame to a nation who claimed to be fighting corruption. Ribadu was accussed of selected justice many were jailed and some lost thier exalted
positions. Madam Farida should have carried out another selected investigations and prosecution may be gradually the nation will be cleaned of curruption in high and low places.
Yar adua is behaving like a crasy bull dismantling every thing on its way using its head under the pretence of pseudo rule of law policy.
wale Olabamiji
6 December 2008 10:41Nigeria we hail thee.Goodbye to sanity
Abel friday
6 December 2008 14:32I really must commend your usage of the english language. just like he had said, nigerians need to be told the truth. i think we must learn to respect the work of our heroes and commend their little effort.. if ribadu is not justifiably wrong, then i think yar’ Adua is not working on the part of truthfulness
Oyewole Oluwaseun
6 December 2008 19:46THE CRISIS IN JOS.
When i read about the details of the losses incurred by my tribe ‘The Yoruba’s’ mostly in terms of life and subsequently properties, i couldn’t but wonder if life in the north is worth it.
With the status quo that most of the resources used in running the Federal republic of Nigeria comes from the south, I see no reason why the indigent should take laws into their hands under ethnic and religious lines to take life of people from the south.
I’m admonishing all YORUBAS in the entire north to come back home and do business at home. The risk of living in the north why lives and properties labored for over time could be lost within a twinkle of an eye is not worth it.
To all my YORUBAS “EMA BO NI ILE” Come home.
Egware Thomas
12 December 2008 14:23This is a matter that must be loked at very critically. i am sorry for Nuhu Ribadu, in short he reminds me of a certain Policemean called Alozie Ogbuguaja who was famous for the “Peppersoup and Beer” story in the 80’s.
It is glaring that it is a withchhunt because people in the Armed forces, police and civil service in nigeria has been given double promitions in the past, cases in point include Murtala mohammed and even the late elder brother to His Excellency Yaradua were promoted.
Nigeria is currently being drawn several years behind as the seeming fight against corruption is now a comic relief by the recent actions of the government.This can quicly be corrected if the right things are done.Prosecuting those corrupt ex- governors and government officials.Sacking Aaondoka as he has extremely being very controversial like the proverbial Tortise who is in everry story.Sanitizing the EFCC and making it wholly independent.
It is glaring that Ibori’s hands is in the travails of Nuhu as he spent last christmas and New Year in prisons.
His Excellency must endeavour to remove himself from the apron strings of this fellow called Ibori, he is widely rumoured to have invested billions in his( Yaradua’s) election.
Ibori must remember that he cannever be god, yes he has empowered a lot of people but at whose expense?Surely the expense of those who do not have pipeborne water, good health care , education.He shopuld remember that once there was a very powerful Major in the Nigerian Army who was more powerful than Generals, but where is he today, languishing in the gallows.They are certainly best friends as they share a very common passion during the hey days of our own despot Abacha.
Ibori must be made to answer to crimes he committed in the UK where he is an ex-convict and also in Nigeria where he also is an ex-convict in the zinc asbestos matter.
Odili and the others are busy lounging in Abuja and enjoying their loot while people are dying in the Niger-Delta daily due to lack of ammenities.Nigeria wake up, tthis cannot continue for ever
alh.Seu
13 December 2008 08:25Posting Ribadu to Ibori’s Bendel,
Is like
Sending Uncle Ige to their Aso rock ,
the answer is allujanna.Insha Allah?
Nureni Wole Jimoh
14 December 2008 00:10To Nuhu Ribadu- where ever you are, just know that you are highly appreciated by the masses, the downtrodden and the little children on the street who once hope that the sanity has come and perhaps think that shortly the wealth of the nation will go round and there will be food on their tables.
To the thieves-return, of course it is expected that you will fight back and badly. Prepare for more fight as the awareness is growing, and there will be more Ribadu on the net and there will be no hiding place.
seyi oke
14 December 2008 08:42i really dont know the reason prof has busied himself with ribadu’s frivolities.ribadu doesnt love nigeria more than i do nor the prof does.ribadu’s job wasnt that delicate or tidious than dora akunyili’s.infact dora has not been given enough enforcement compared to ribadu,a police chief and former president’s favourite.dora stepped on toes more than ribadu.this great woman touched the ‘untouchables’ while ribadu did selective investigations and prosecution.dora served in the last government of obj.dora is serving in yaradua’s government.infact she is waxing stronger considering yaradua’s proposal of making her a minister.she surely has many qualities ribadu does not have.sincerity is contagious.she is humble.ribadu is arrogant.she does her work without favour with country first attitude.ribadu is a sychophant.
the trials of ribadu by the so called ‘enemies’ is natural.nigeria has a nasty sociopolitical pattern where u can never be relevant at all times in a chain of events unfolding.obj was cast into the pit for years before he regained a ‘mandate’ which he screwed up again.the former secretary to the federal government, was completely erased and forgotten in the scheme of things in this country for a decade and a half.he came back to power.ribadu should just cool off.he got his time.he shuold allow others to serve nigeria even worse than he did.records are there.history will be told.ribadu is not indispensable in a population close to 200 million.there might be another time for him to serve our so called ‘father land’.
prof wole soyinka with due respect should chanel his energy and wealth of ideas to other issues in the polity.i strongly hold the prof in high esteem.i rush to read any write up from the prof but for awhile now prof just writes about ribadu in a govenment that has resolved completely not only to discard ribadu but to pursue their selfish interest.
CNR
14 December 2008 23:30The recent ruling of the Supreme Court in Nigeria with regards to the April 2007 presidential election has robbed Nigeria of the opportunity to make a correction on its faulty restart of electoral democracy. The reason adduced for upholding the election by Justice Niki Tobi is injustice at its peak and a slap on the electorate. What more could anyone have expected of Niki Tobi; a man who was hand-in-gloves with the Nigeria ex-maximum ruler; Late Sanni Abacha and in fact presided over his fraudulently composed constitutional conference that gave Sanni Abacha an open cheque to rule Nigeria indefinitely. Anyone who has a sense of history could not have expected any better ruling from such a tainted judge! The most appalling was how Niki Tobi shamelessly slammed politicians and the media for seeking justice at various election tribunals instead of ”accepting defeat in good fate” for an election that has been widely condemned home and abroad as fraudulent, which the beneficiary (Umar Yar’adua)also publicly acknowledged. It is ironic that a judge whose job is to dispense justice according to the law, would scold litigants for coming to court.Niki Tobi would rather be happy if the dissatisfied parties had resorted to violence!
I am deeply sadden not just because of the electoral fraud that brought Yar’adua into government but mainly by his gross incompetence. Almost two years down the line, Mr Yar’adua is still battling with constituting a cabinet, his administration is now known to punish integrity(as seen in the persecution of the erstwhile chairman of the anti-graft commision Nuhu Ribadu) and reward corruption(as witnessed in his protection of the corrupt former governor of Delta state James Ibori and granting over 150million dollars debt forebearance to the privately looted bank-SGBN,of his political associate- governor of kwara state, Bukola Saraki and shielding his family from prosecution).
adesina OMOOBA
15 December 2008 16:24THE UNSALUGHT ON RIBADU IS AS RIDDUCLOUS AS THE PRONOUCEMENT OF THE SUPREME COURT THAT YARDUA WON THE LAST ELECTION
ITS A COMPLICATED SHOWS OF SHAME
OMMOOBA
tokun
20 December 2008 17:18Prof. Sonyinka you said it all ”The Kuru episode is not merely symptomatic or symbolic, it is summative. ” Nigeria has been and is a nation where dignity,virtue and all those precious words have no place and value .The incidents simply tell us how deep these social vices have taken root in the country .The slogan now is ” if you can`t beat them , join them.” Shame to all perpetrators of justice.
Which way Nigeria is head to? Sad to think about that. If the current trend is not aressted intime the NATION would be heading for a big fall.
bembe
22 December 2008 15:42For a very longtime now the yorubas’ are been attacked and butchered in any religious riot in the Northern part of the country,even if you are a muslim,once you are from the south,you are attacked.See how many of our youth coppers’ were killed,amost from the southern part of the country.Our future leaders are attacked and killed.They assume yorubas’ will not fight back,Yorubas’ you av to start fighting for your rights,all they believe,isthat you yorubas’ are good in just talking and no action.Stand for your right .Niger-deltans are alive,they take one down you take five of their people down
Alani Adekunle
23 December 2008 12:07Well, the ball is now in Madam Farida’s court. Whatever any human does(evil or good) live long after they’ve gone into oblivion or even before. Afterall, the untouchables dealt with during the time of Ribadu were not unguilty of the cases levelled against them. Not with a single case. The real problem is with our AGF. Wolf in sheep’s clothing. He is the mastermind. Okiro and others are only doing his bidding. However, Madam Farida should know “….that the whip used to beat the senio wife and send her packing is in reservation for the new wife”. Time will tell. God save our dear country Nigeria!
Boyo IN NJ, USA
23 December 2008 12:56The Editor,
I personally congtaulated Prof. Wole Soyinka. At my second half of the 50s, knew Prof. in 1972 I have never regretted reading him in all his books as a selection for academic work or for fun. There are thousands and thousands of writers today whose writings should perfectly fit for the incinerator, but Prof’s are all to humanity and enduring legacy for several generations unborn. I had merely greeted him at several public functions, spoken to his daughter - Ebun, many of his classmates, colleagues who were lectures with him and many of his close friends from Ibadan, Ilesha though practically living in Lagos an some from Abeokuta.
I am a pastor now after obtaining 2 degrees in one Nigerian university and 3 other postgraduate degrees from other universities in Europe and USA. Prof. has ideas which are so sound and logical but not scripturally acceptable, but because I am aware of the limitations, I filter off the virtues from the unwanted and make do of the enormous release of knowledge, dignity, expression, commitment and future looking. In Sept. 1984, we lost another Prof of the same sagacity, we he alive today, the pressures directed towards Prof Soyinka would have been shared. We need to do all within our strength to preserve the living and it must be NOW.
Prof opened a paragraph with “It is true that Ribadu has committed some unspeakable crime . . .” This is not a suspiscion. While in office, after many months of details investigation, listed names of those that would receive his arrest warrant. The list included several governors, son of an ex-president etc.Still in the office, the governors could not be arrayed, you can explain why the delay.
One of the governors listed had earlier donated over N2 billion for the campaign cost of the president. Of course he would definite had much to do and say in the present government. He has also demonstrated the show dictating his presence was the appointment of the AG of the Federation who had served as advocate for the governor who was on the “Ribadu’s List” He has so far behaved to type. All the demotion saga, the debasing treatment at the NIPSS Graduating ceremony and even the recent deployment to Benin City at the lower rank have all combined to show us whose fingers are at work at the different action point.
One painful part of the whole episode is the fact that the promotion was recommended by a committee of the NPF. Certain Officers endorsed for the President’s considerations and approval. Now they are successful at blamegame, but a precedent is set. Recall this “Prof’s Yoruba Elders’ adage translated as “The whip with which the wife was treated, the bride’s is waiting for her at the ceiling”
A word is very good for the wise. It is Ribadu today, who knows who next!
__________
Editor, could please give me Prof’s email address. God bless.
Yomi
23 December 2008 20:34There is a similarity between this movie SCAR FACE and PDP. What Cuba did to USA in that movie is what PDP did to Nigeria in 1999 election. If you are a PDP card carrying member you either a FRAUD or HIRED KILLER, period.
There was a senator who said some members of national assembly are criminals and he was ready to name them before he was gagged, what else do we want to know.
The current president won’t achieve anything, the guy is BLIND, DEAF and DUMB, if you know what I mean.
muyiwa
25 December 2008 20:19I have no doubt nigeria as a country is doomed in as much we are having these set of self centered political prostitute as leaders, they care for nobody, they are all there not to improve the life of a common man but to multiply their wealth,it ‘ obvious that people like mallam Nuhu Ribadu do not have a place in a country that should belong to all.human being can succeed in pulling him down,am sure my God almghty will lift him .
i aliyu
26 December 2008 09:28“those who live by the sword die by the sword” let the wise learn that you need not be loyal to any one other than your country. is ribadu loyal to his country?
Isaac Omifenwa
30 December 2008 09:10I think it is high time for those of us that are not involved in Nigeria politics to save our energies for better and more profiting things. Majority of us don’t even understand the nitty - gritty of ‘politicking’ in Nigeria. In all cases, all we get to know is the surface of this happenings without access into the dept of what actually transpired. When the going was rosy, there were thousands of Nigerians that has stories to tell about how ‘Ribadu’ was used to terrified them. Those families are spectators today to unfolding events. Heaven forbids me to cry over Ribadu or his like. He is like a robot that is overdue for its purpose. The manufacturers must destroy it. My concern is only for the image and status of my country and not for ‘dogs eating dogs’ phenomenon.
‘THEY ARE ALL GLADIATORS’