Contrary to plans, the Code of Conduct Tribunal sitting in Abuja did not issue a
bench warrant today for the arrest of the former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nuhu Ribadu. Instead the body requested Mr. Ribadu to appear before it on 9 March 2009, and urged him not to fear for his life.
Earlier at the tribunal sitting, civil rights attorney, Mr. Femi Falana, had appeared on behalf of Ribadu and contested his non-appearance before the judge. He argued that Ribadu could not appear before the tribunal because of continued attempts on his life by unknown assassins, including one on the Kuru-Jos road last September. He also drew the attention of the tribunal to the attacks made by the federal government to destroy Ribadu's career in the police force, including his demotion and dismissal from the police force, as well as his unceremonious removal from his position at the EFCC.
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The tribunal chair agreed with the counsel that Mr. Ribadu needed time to appear if assurances of his safety and security are given. The tribunal therefore urged the former EFCC boss to appear without fear in March at its continued hearing.
The arraignment of Ribadu before the Code of Conduct Tribunal is the culmination of a relentless conspiracy to humiliate him after he was removed as the chair of the EFCC and sent to the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies in Kuru, Plateau State. Upon completing his studies the Inspector General of police, Mike Okiro and the Attorney General of the Federation, Michael Aondoakaa, conspired to prevent him from graduating, culminating in his being physically
removed from the graduation ceremony. Mr. Ribadu was subsequently summoned by the police authorities to face disciplinary actions, following which he was summarily dismissed from the force. He was earlier demoted by two grades by the Police Service Commission (PSC) before he could complete his studies at NIPPS.
Also today, the tribunal also heard the case of Mr. Timi Alaibe, who was docked to answer charges of non-declaration of assets.
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