The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime has said the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, is crucial to the planned $30m anti-corruption project for Nigeria.
In a letter to President Umar Yar�Adua dated 7 January, 2008, UNODC�s Executive Director, Mr. Antonio Maria Costa, demanded explanations from the Nigerian government over the removal of Ribadu as EFCC chairman noting that the removal �at this critical juncture in the commission�s work, � even if temporary � could be very detrimental to maintaining the momentum of ongoing anti-corruption investigations.�
He said, �I recall, Mr. President, our discussion a few weeks ago about the important role of the EFCC�s chairman in making sure that the UNODC/EU project moves forward most successfully.
�Your reassurance at that time was helpful in planning the extension of the contribution agreement from October 2008 to the end of 2009.
�At that time we also discussed the need to maintain an anti-corruption agency in Nigeria that is free of political influence, and which is integrated into a system of proper checks and balances for good governance.
�I am now concerned about the image of the EFCC and about the image of the EFCC and about the need to avoid any serious setbacks.�
Costa acknowledged the steady reputation of the EFCC as �one of the world�s foremost ati-corruption agencies, adding that the commission under Ribadu was capable of implementing the multimillion dollar project co-sponsored by the European Union.
Ribadu is to proceed on a one-year study leave from February at the Institute for Policy and Strategiic Studies, Kuru, near Jos, a move that has been greeted with criticisms within and outside Nigeria.
But Ribadu said whether or not he would be returning to the EFCC, he was leaving the anti-graft agency a fulfilled person and without any grudge against anyone.
He said he had vacated the seat for his successor, Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde, and was pleased and ready to proceed on study leave as recently approved by the President.
Ribadu spoke during a meeting with our correspondent at Owa- Oyibu, the headquarters of Ika North East Local Government Area of Delta State.
Ribadu, in the brief encounter with our correspondent, said he lost nothing by his removal as the helmsman of the anti-corruption agency, adding that he had contributed his quota towards the development of the country.
Ribadu said he was happy to leave the scene for other Nigerians to make their contributions