Date Published: 05/05/10

Declaration of Assets Scandal: FG withdraws charges against Ribadu

Nuhu Ribadu

Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke, has officially withdrawn charges of non-disclosure of assets against Nuhu Ribadu, the former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The case was, therefore, struck out by the Acting Chairman of the tribunal.

Mr. Ribadu was being tried at the Code of Conduct Tribunal for failing to declare his assets when he was EFCC chair. He has always denied the allegations.

In dismissing the case today, the chair of the tribunal said that the attorney general of the federation has powers under Section 174, to discontinue any litigation relating to a federal offence, at any time before judgement. The tribunal also said that the notice of withdrawal of the case by the Minister of Justice 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.

Present in court were Nasir el-Rufai, former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and other friends of the former EFCC boss.

Femi Falana, Mr. Ribadu’s lawyer, declined to confirm when he (Ribadu) will be returning to Nigeria.