Posted by By Tunde Opeseitan, Reporter, Lagos on
Nuhu Ribadu, former Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman, has sued the Federal Government and the Police Inspector General (IG), Mike Okiro, over his demotion and deployment.
Nuhu Ribadu, former Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman, has sued the Federal Government and the Police Inspector General (IG), Mike Okiro, over his demotion and deployment.
He asked the Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday to halt his demotion from the rank of Assistant Inspector General (AIG) to Deputy Commissioner.
He is also seeking an injunction restraining Okiro, the federal Attorney General, Michael Aondoakaa, and the Police Service Commission (PSC) from treating him less than an AIG pending the determination of the suit.
Ribadu currently attends a course at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru in Jos.
But he is also seeking an injunction restraining the defendants from punishing, suspending, interdicting, restricting his freedom of movement, and or any of his rights or doing anything against him as a consequence of the suit, pending its final determination.
He deposed to an affidavit in which he averred that he never lobbied for the promotions given him by the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
He claimed that the defendants intend to deliberately redeploy him as DCP to where his life would be in danger.
"I fear for my safety and consequently seek the protection of the court as a matter of utmost urgency," Ribadu demanded.
His lawyer, Tayo Oyetibo, argued that the life of his client "is in danger and he requires judicial protection. Before now, Ribadu was occupying the post of AIG but the IG took the view that he did not attend the course at the (NIPSS) before being promoted as AIG.
"He was subsequently asked to proceed on the course, and on October 24, Ribadu became aware that he was to be redeployed as DCP to a location where his life is to be in danger."
Justice Abdullahi Mustapha granted leave to Ribadu to issue the defendants with the originating summons outside Lagos and Abuja.
But on the interim injunctions sought, Mustapha said: "I am not prepared to go into that until I hear from the respondents. "
The case was adjourned to November 3.
The PSC demoted Ribadu and 174 other police officers on August 5 on the ground that due process was not followed in their promotions.