Code Of Conduct Tribunal Strikes Out Charges Against Nuhu Ribadu

{joomplu:1993}{joomplu:1991}The Code of Conduct Tribunal in Abuja today struck out charges against Nuhu Ribadu, former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. In dismissing the case, the chairperson of the tribunal stated that the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) has powers under Section 174 to discontinue any litigation relating to a federal offense at anytime before judgment.
The tribunal also ruled that the notice of withdrawal of the case by the AGF takes precedence over the motion filed by the accused person asking for the dismissal of the charges. The case was struck out and the bench warrant issued for Ribadu's arrest was cancelled.

Ribadu had been charged before Justice Constance Momoh for alleged failure to declare his assets after leaving the EFCC in 2007, but Ribadu's attorney, Femi Falana, had always insisted that his client was a victim of persecution by the Umaru Yar'adua-led regime.

In recent hearings, it became clear that the tribunal was aware that Ribadu had declared his assets as stipulated by law. Even so, Justice Momoh, whose son Boyo is an associate of former Governor James Ibori, went ahead to declare the former EFCC chairman wanted. Until her retirement late last year, she also insisted that Ribadu must appear before her tribunal.

“The reason the case went through a lengthy period of litigation was that former Attorney General, Michael Aondoakaa, and Ribadu's former boss, Mike Okiro, personally set out to persecute Ribadu in order to serve Chief Ibori’s interests,” said a lawyer who was familiar with the case. He added, “The trio of Aondokaaa, Ibori and Okiro personally compelled the secretary of the tribunal to file the charges in the first place even though there was no case.”

Ribadu remains in exile traveling between Washington DC, where he is a fellow, and several nations around the world to deliver lectures.

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