The federal government today reversed itself concerning the demotion and dismissal of former EFCC Chairman, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu when it restored the rank of the erstwhile Police officer to that of an Assistant Inspector General of Police. Ribadu who has been granted Presidential pardon by President Goodluck Jonathan, who has ordered that all charges against him be withdrawn, was however retired after
the restoration of his rank as AIG.
Report from Presidency sources say that the restoration of rank and retirement, was carried out at an emergency meeting of the board of the Police Service Commission, presided over by its Chairman, DIG Parry Osayande (rtd), who last year announced the demotion of Mallam Ribadu citing non adherence of due process in the rapid promotion of Ribadu from the rank of Assistant Commissioner of police to Deputy Commissioner, Commissioner and Assistant Inspector General of Police all within a period of three years when his course mates were still Chief Superintendents of Police.
His subsequent dismissal followed Ribadu’s refusal to appear before a Police disciplinary committee summoned by former IGP, Mike Okiro and headed by then DIG in charge Administration, Ogbonna Okechukwu Onovo which sat for three days in Kaduna without Ribadu showing up.
According to the sources, with the restoration of Ribadu as an AIG, the former anti-fraud Czar is now entitled to pension and would received all his entitlements and outstanding allowances due him as the period he was out of office and in the Police force has been converted to study leave.
Continuing the source disclosed that President Goodluck Jonathan would soon shock the nation with the portfolio Ribadu will be assigned to noting that contrary to what a lot of people believed, the position would have a lot to do with the 2011 eleven elections and President Jonathan’s desire to leave a lasting legacy on how elections are conducted in the country.