Posted by By TOPE ADEBOBOYE on
Embattled chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu on Thursday broke his silence on his recent redeployment to the National Institute for Policies and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, even as he agreed that government could send any public officer on training.
Embattled chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu on Thursday broke his silence on his recent redeployment to the National Institute for Policies and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, even as he agreed that government could send any public officer on training.
Speaking through Osita Nwajah, EFCC's head, Media and Publicity, Ribadu, who said he fully concurred with the Federal Government's decision to send him on a self-improvement course of study, accused the commission's foes of using the media to cause disaffection between him, President Umaru Yar'Adua and the leadership of the Nigeria Police.
The statement reads further:
'In the past few days, the EFCC, as well as its Executive Chairman, Nuhu Ribadu, have been the subject of intense media debate generated by the decision to send the EFCC Chairman on a course at the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Plateau State.
'The Commission has however refused to be drawn into the public debate.
'EFCC now wishes to clarify that it is the position of the Commission that government can send any public officer on training to enhance his or her performance and continued service to the nation. And, as a loyal citizen and public servant, the opinion of Ribadu is not any different from the expressed position of the Commission.
'It is however worrying that the NIPSS debate has opened a window of blackmail and calumny for many of those who disagree with the Commission. This group has routinely planted stories in the media, which they make-believe as being sponsored by the Executive Chairman, in an attempt at discrediting the authorities, especially Mr. President. The stories which have explored all sorts of high wire politics scenarios and power tussle permutations are calculated at presenting the Executive Chairman as being in conflict with Mr. President and the leadership of the Nigeria Police. Nothing can be further from the truth.
'Further, the Commission wishes to deal with the insinuation being peddled in certain quarters that the President is interfering in the work of the Commission. The Commission hereby puts on record that President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua has never interfered in the work of EFCC and has supported the Commission's resolve to bring to book, all who have committed any of the crimes identified in the EFCC Establishment Act (2004) and all other laws that the Commission is mandated to enforce.
'The Executive Chairman, EFCC, wishes to seize this opportunity to assure Mr. President, the leadership of the Nigeria Police and indeed, all patriotic Nigerians, of his absolute loyalty and dedication to the service of our fatherland.
'It bears restating here that as a loyal public servant, Nuhu Ribadu has no problem with the decision of Mr. President on the recommendation of the Inspector General of Police, to send him on a self-improvement course of study at the NIPPS, Kuru. Any story that suggests otherwise is only meant to cast him in the bad light of an unnecessary antagonist against government and the Police high command and should be discounted.
The Commission wishes to thank the general public for the tremendous support it has received in the discharge of its duties."