Posted by By Kayode Fasua on
A coalition of three Nigerian socio-cultural organizations in the Diaspora, at the weekend joined the fray over raging controversies trailing the directive that Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) should proceed on one-year police course.
A coalition of three Nigerian socio-cultural organizations in the Diaspora, at the weekend joined the fray over raging controversies trailing the directive that Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) should proceed on one-year police course.
The coalition, namely Zumunta Association USA; World Igbo Congress, Inc. and Egbe Omo Yoruba, North America, at an emergency meeting in Washington DC, averred that Ribadu's exit from the EFCC was untimely.
The group, which reminded President Umar Yar'Adua of his earlier statements concerning the EFCC, enjoined him to be guarded by his alluring comments on the anti-corruption war being prosecuted by the anti-graft body.
'At the 6th National Seminar on Economic Crime held in Abuja, Nigeria on Tuesday, November 13, 2007, President Yar'Adua stated, ‘The fight against corruption is my fight, one in which I am committed and which we all must be committed,' the group quoted.'
It added: ' Despite all the challenges and obstacles faced by… Ribadu and his team of economic crime fighters at the EFCC, they have not wavered in their assigned responsibilities.
' His achievement during his short tenure as Executive Chairman of the EFCC are exemplary and numerous; he gave hope to Nigerians and the rest of the world that Nigeria is finally serious about fighting its world-renowned corruption problem."
The coalition also noted, saying, ' We understand that a tree does not make a forest and that a big deal should not be made about one person, but rather, the concern should be over the maintenance of the integrity of the position itself."
' However, given the history of Nigeria and the numerous public attempts by powerful Nigerians who have violated their public trust…we strongly urge his Excellency to repudiate this action as he did in the case of the Naira redenomination and prevent Mr. Mike Okiro (the Inspector-General of Police) from sending Mallam Ribadu on a compulsory course at this time"
Besides its support for Ribadu, the group further advocated a built-in mechanism for the appointment and removal of the chairman of an agency as important as the EFCC.
It similarly advised the National Assembly 'to constitutionally create…an independent counsel type of office for the EFCC with the latitude to investigate and prosecute any economic wrongdoer, free of interference from the executive or legislative branches."
At the coalition's emergency meeting, Egbe Omo Yoruba, North America, was reportedly represented by its National President, Adeola Odusanya and General Secretary, Oladapo Odunlami. Chibuzo Onwuchekwe and Mike Anunike, chairman and General-Secretary, respectively, featured for World Igbo Congress, Inc. while Zumunta Association USA, was represented by its National President, Mallam Salisu A. Abdullah and General-Secretary, Dr. Ogbu Agburu.