Former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, is billed to return to the country tomorrow after being on self-exile for about 18 months.
In a statement Ribadu said: “There is no place like home. With great joy and thanks to the Almighty Allah, I look forward to this Sunday, June 6, 2010 at Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria. Insha Allah, I will be there to receive the Doctorate Degree…it will be great to see my beloved Nigeria again”
Ribadu, who was forced to go on self exile when the Police Service Commission, PSC, declared him wanted and subsequently dismissed him from the Nigeria Police Force, got a reprieve on 24 May, this year, in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, when the PSC reinstated him as an Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG with Effect from 22 December 2008.
Ribadu’s return followed choreographed that observers say will lead to the Federal Government giving him a job in the presidency that began on Wednesday March 31, 2010 when the Federal Government withdrew all Charges against the Former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Then the Code of Conduct Tribunal in Abuja officially struck out charges against Nuhu Ribadu. In dismissing the case today, the chair of the tribunal said that the attorney general of the federation has powers under Section 174 to discontinue any litigation relating to a federal offense at anytime before judgement.
The tribunal also said that the notice of withdrawal of the case by the AGF takes precedence over the motion filed by the accused person asking for the dismissal of the charges. The case was struck out and the bench warrant issued for Ribadu’s arrest was cancelled.
Finally the federal government 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.
President Goodluck Jonathan also ordered that all charges against him be withdrawn.
In a move seen by many well-meaning Nigerians as a vendetta by the former administration of the late President Umaru Yar’Adua, Ribadu was first demoted from AIG to Deputy Commissioner of Police by the JSC.
He was later dismissed for alleged insubordination and gross misconduct.
Ribadu challenged the actions of the PSC before an Abuja High court. But the case has not been decided.
Ribadu’s travails were traced to corrupt politicians in whose flesh he remained a thorn as chairman of the EFCC.
As Ribadu is being expected tomorrow, he will likely play a vital role in the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan.