Posted by From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation on
THE Police Service Commission yesterday said it is prepared to defend the demotion of former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, in court.
THE Police Service Commission yesterday said it is prepared to defend the demotion of former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, in court.
The Police Service Commission had on August 5, 2008 demoted Ribadu, alongside 139 others from an Assistant Inspector-General of Police to a Deputy Commissioner of Police.
But three months after the demotion, Ribadu on Wednesday sued the commission, the Inspector-General of Police and the Attorney-General of the Federation over the exercise.
In the matter, filed at the Federal High Court in Lagos , Ribadu's lawyer, Mr. Tayo Oyetibo (SAN), said his client could not be demoted without fair hearing.
He said the suit is also intended to "seek judicial protection for the safety of the applicant's life."
But reacting to the suit, the PSC said it is ready for a legal battle with Ribadu.The commission made its position known amid anxiety over the future of Ribadu in the Nigeria Police after joining issues with his boss and employer.
The Chairperson of the Media Committee of the Police Service Commission, Ms. Comfort Obi, who spoke exclusively with The Nation, said: "We read about Ribadu's matter before the case in the newspapers like all Nigerians.
"But on Friday, the PSC was served with the court papers and we are prepared to meet Ribadu in court on our decision."
Obi was not ready to speak further on the matter, saying, "We will meet in court."
It was however, gathered that the PSC had met on how to engage the services of another Senior Advocate of Nigeria to handle its defence.
A highly-placed source said: "We are studying Ribadu's claims before the court and we will soon hire a counsel to handle the case.
"The case will enable the PSC to put the issues surrounding the demotion in the public for all Nigerians to appreciate.
"You know there was so much noise about the demotion of Ribadu and others. The Chairman of the PSC, Mr. Parry Osayande, is a tested cop and he is a man who has devoted his life to justice. The case will vindicate the just at the end."
Investigations, however, revealed that Ribadu's action has caused disquiet within the hierarchy of the Nigeria Police Force. According to a source: "A major issue before the court is whether Ribadu has explored all avenues of seeking redress within the Force before going to court. The Police Act too will be put to test at the court.
"This suit is like challenging the right of your employer to hire and fire.
"There is also a trace of frustration in his claims before the court. But he should have been more patient like the former acting Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde."
As at press time, it was also learnt that a key aide to Ribadu, who was also a former Head of Economic Governance Section and Presidential Task Force of the EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Mustafa Magu, might also go to court to challenge his suspension in the last three months.
Besides his ongoing suspension, Magu was detained on the orders of the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mike Okiro between August 4 and 22, 2008.
Upon his release after public outcry, the Chief Superintendent of Police was queried by the IGP. Although Magu was later ordered to appear before the Force Disciplinary Committee, on September 19, 2008, which was then discreetly relocated from Abuja to Jos, it was learnt that he refused following advice that he might not get justice.
A source said: "We won't be surprised if Magu files a separate suit in court too. We are already expecting that."