Posted by Prince Charles Dickson, Achor Abimaje Jos on
It was all full of drama at the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Kuru, near Jos as the former Chairman of the economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nuhu Ribadu was prevented from graduating.
It was all full of drama at the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Kuru, near Jos as the former Chairman of the economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nuhu Ribadu was prevented from graduating.
Ribadu who like other participants entered into the Unity auditorium where the events held R was told to leave the venue of the event by the head of security of NIPSS, and was later dragged out by security agents acting on the orders of the government as he tried to ask why he was told to leave the venue.
After Ribadu was dragged out of the ceremony his wife, six kids and, 40 guests that came to attend the ceremony were also removed from the auditorium by security officials.
Immediately after the drama, a visit to Ribadu's chalet N1/A Circle/12 told the story as well wishers and family looked on bemused over the ugly development.
Controversial participant Deinde Briggs an assistant director that was alleged to have stolen a camera on one of the study tours to China was conspicuously absent at the graduation.
Ribadu's wife was sighted driving immediately towards Abuja in a black Prado jeep with her kids.
It was not clear if Ribadu was arrested after he was forced out of the venue, but a security source told LeadershipSunday that he would likely be arrested and interrogated
Meanwhile only on Friday Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, had asked a Federal High Court in Abuja to restrain the commission from arresting him.
Ribadu's eligibility for the course had become an issue following his alleged non qualification for the course which is meant for police officers of the rank of commissioner and above.
But acting Director General of the institute, Mr. James Opadiran had said at a pre-graduation press briefing on Wednesday that all those who have met with the requirements of the course would graduate.
He said Ribadu and Mr. Deinbo Briggs who is enmeshed in a camera theft case would graduate having satisfactorily gone through the course in line with the principle of the rule of law which the present administration in the country professes will not be denied graduation.
'A child of statute must live according to statute. The National Institute was set up under an Act and therefore its operations and conduct are determined by that Act as may be modified from time to time by public service rules and other establishment circular that may be issued from time to time. Again we have a policy for admitting participant and for graduating them.
'So what I will tell you is that we are only between 72 to 48 hours to the graduation ceremony. One thing I can assure you is that whoever merits the award of Member of the National Institute irrespective of his professional background or the organization that had sponsored him or her, the national institute will graduate them', Opadiran declared.
He said it would be wrong to deny Briggs graduation since the matter of his alleged theft of a camera was yet to be exhausted adding that the institute would not hesitate to take appropriate action if he is eventually found guilty.
However all this was not to be as Ribadu was bundled out of the graduation hall and Briggs did not show up for the ceremony.