FARIDA WAZIRI EFCC UNDERTAKER?
The incontrovertible truth is that Nuhu Ribadu did his very best for
Nigeria, whether we like it or not his records are there for all to
scrutinize and assess. His successor and her cohorts can neither legislate
nor decree away his immeasurable achievements. Apart from the case of the
ex governors that his detractors falsely claim were mostly Obasanjo's
opponents, what about Tafa Balogun? what about the 419 practitioners?,
what about Ade bendel, Emmanuel nwude, Fred Ajudua, Morris ibekwe and
other scammers that EFCC under ribadu waged a relentless war against
earning accolades from several countries and institutions?, please let us
not be myopic, but rather dorn the garb of objectivity and refuse to wear
the spectacles of prejudgment.
Corruption has assumed a hydra headed position in Nigeria and as such both
judicial and extrajudicial means are required to curb and tackle it if
necessary. The scenario resembles the current US war against terror and
the fact that US has resorted to legal and illegal means because of the
style and nature of the purported enemies. The attempts to vilify and
paint Ribadu and EFCC in bad light smacks of deliberate mischief.
Agreed, Ribadu is only human and he is not perfect, but his positive deeds
far outweigh his negative acts. In addition, he indubitably towers head
and shoulders above his legion of traducers and I believe EFCC under his
leadership deserves commendations.
Ribadu’s EFCC set inimitable precedents in Nigeria that we need to build
up on. That is why majorities of Nigerians are depressed about what is
currently happening there now. We are witnessing an unprecedented
dismembering and apoplexization of an agency that contributed immensely to
the steady removal of the global perception of Nigeria as a country where
crime and corruption are kings. I wonder why Mama farida is channeling and
wasting her time and energies to crucifying her predecessor, while the
crooks and looters are gallivanting about and even installing their
sidekicks in top positions in the Presidency.. If you were in the
police/security circles you would be grief stricken at the antecedents of
officers that have been deployed to EFCC. Well such anomalies can only
happen in Nigeria !
Unfortunately, officers that did their best for the country under Ribadu
are being victimized, it is too bad that all this has been sanctioned by
mama farida and the police top hierachy!, there are ways of posting these
officers without any accusations of bad belle cropping up. Look at the
travails of Nwajah, Olorunyomi, Magu, Lamorde and a host of other officers
and men previously working at EFCC?.In all honesty it smacks of vendetta!
It is just punishment hatched by Mama farida and those corrupt governors
led by Bukola Saraki and James Ibori two of the biggest looter governors
this country have ever witnessed. But the truth is that Farida actually
signed bail bond for Akume and no amount of obfuscation can hide that. All
her spin doctors cannot remove that blot from her and the fact that she
lied to Nigerians and the senate that she didnt. Unbelievably, Officer
Magu has been in detention for close to one week at the Police Hqtrs in
Abuja under some spurious accusations by Mama Farida of leaking the truth to the media.
Forget about all these pseudo arraignments, Mama Farida lacks the
tenacity, resolve, thoroughness and independence of Nuhu Ribadu. She has
not matched Ribadu’s zeal, enthusiasm and passion. It would have been
better for her if she had starting her leadership by showing Nigerians
what she can do, instead of trying to erase ribadu’s legacies, seizing
every forum to denigrate the man and victimizing and witchunting his
perceived and imaginary loyalists. To me and probably other discernable
Nigerians, she is no chairman, but an undertaker appointed to enervate and
finally bury EFCC. Ribadu could not have recorded his modest achievements
at EFCC without the calibre of people he surrounded himself with. Thus,
with the opprobrious officers around Mama Farida , Nigeria would
continue to be an impedible and impenetrable fortress for corruption.
Mrs. Waziri has not matched Ribadu’s zeal and enthusiasm, her appearance
and comportment does not cut ice with lots of Nigerians. She cuts the
poise of a society lady, has the mien of a clothes merchant and in a crowd
could easily pass.
for a fashion designer. My candid advise to her is that she should sell
herself and her programmes , she should leave Ribadu, Magu and Lamorde et
al alone and face what she was appointed to do. I must express my
pessimism that this lady would not be able to equal Ribadu’s sincere
fervor and surpass his accomplishments. To make the prerequisite progress
in the battle against corruption, we need more than the likes of mama
farida, her band of conniving government officials and array of thieving
governor ( past and present) supporters.
By Adekunle Theophilius
klexoz@yahoo.co.uk
Adekunle Theophilius, Social commentator, cvil rights and Good governance
advocate is Abuja based.