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Police query Ribadu, to face trial

Posted by By MURPHY GANAGANA, Abuja on 2008/12/13 | Views: 575 |

Police query Ribadu, to face trial


Embattled former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission [EFCC], Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, would soon appear before a high-powered police disciplinary committee on charges of professional misconduct, indiscipline and breach of public service rules by instituting litigation against the Federal Government without following due process.

Embattled former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission [EFCC], Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, would soon appear before a high-powered police disciplinary committee on charges of professional misconduct, indiscipline and breach of public service rules by instituting litigation against the Federal Government without following due process.

Consequently, he has been officially queried on the orders of the Inspector General of Police, Mike Okiro, after deliberations on the issue by the police management team, comprising the IGP, Deputy Inspectors General of Police, and the Force Secretary.

Sunday Sun authoritatively gathered that the query which was signed by the Force Secretary, AIG Udom Ekpoudom, was issued to the pioneer EFCC boss on Tuesday.

He is requested to explain why disciplinary action should not be taken against him for challenging his demotion in a law court without obtaining approval from the IGP, as well as dragging his employer [Nigeria Police Force], to court in breach of rules of engagement of the Public Service.

Dependable sources said the query has since been sent to Ribadu, who is expected to graduate in less than two weeks from the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies [NIPSS], Kuru, where he had undergone a one-year course. He was yet to respond as at the time of filing this report.

However, there are strong indications that the erstwhile anti-graft boss may be on his way out of the Nigeria Police Force, as the charges against him is said to attract either an outright dismissal from service or, at best, compulsory retirement, if found guilty by the Force Disciplinary Committee.

'The fact of the matter is that while he has a constitutional right to go to court over his demotion, the Public Service Rules are very clear on it. You cannot be a serving police officer and then institute legal action against your employer. Besides, even if you want to file a suit against someone else, that is a civilian over a private matter, the police rules require that you formally seek approval from the IGP before doing so.

Based on these rules, the police management team had no option than to issue him a query. When he turns in his reply, a disciplinary committee would be empanelled to try him, that is, something like a court-marshal. 'At the end of it all, a recommendation would be made as the punishment to be meted to him. But the truth is that the man is in deep trouble,' said a top police officer who pleaded anonymity.

Police Force Public Relations Officer, Agberebi Akpoebi, confirmed the development when contacted on the issue. 'Yes, as a Nigerian, Ribadu has constitutional right to go to court, but there is also the Public Service Rules which bars an officer such as himself from doing so. Therefore, the IGP may have directed that he should be queried in accordance with extant rules and regulations governing public servants,' he told Sunday Sun weekend in an exclusive interview.

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