As the controversy over the one-year study leave for the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, subsides, the United States government has counselled the Federal Government to fulfill its pledge to maintain the �composition and the integrity� of the commission.
It also expressed concern about the timing of the study leave granted Ribadu to enable him proceed on a senior officers� course.
In an interview with THISDAY in Washington, D.C., Spokesman for the Bureau of African Affairs, State Department, Mr. Gregory Garland, explained that while the US does not wish to meddle in Nigerian domestic affairs, it is concerned about recent developments concerning the EFCC.
�We understand that the Nigerian Inspector General of Police has appointed Ribadu, a Police Officer by training, to attend an assignment in Nigeria’s leadership school effective February. We are concerned about the timing and motivation of this decision,� said Garland.
It is important for the Nigerian government to maintain the independence, credibility and legitimacy of the EFCC, he noted.
Garland stated that the US firmly supports the work of the EFCC and its Chairman. He highlighted the achievements of the Commission, a major reason why the US provides technical and financial assistance.
The EFCC is a �strong partner� with the US on anti-corruption issues in Africa, said the spokesman.
His words: �We strongly support the work of EFCC and its Chairman, Mr Nuhu Ribadu. Mr Ribadu and the EFCC have recovered significant amount of stolen money and established monetary mechanisms to track all significant capital flows.
�The government of Nigeria has pledged to maintain the composition and integrity of senior EFCC staff, and to vigorously support the EFCC’s current case load, against allegedly corrupt officials. We view this as an extremely important commitment. We believe this view is shared by the Nigerian people and the international community, which has worked closely with the EFCC to return stolen public assets to Nigeria.
�It is paramount that the government of Nigeria maintains the credibility, independence and legitimacy of the EFCC. President Yar’Adua has expressed zero tolerance for corruption and the EFCC is central to realising that goal.�
Ribadu’s case has attracted international attention because of the way it was handled. The fact that the commission receives international backing: training, logistics and finance also makes it an issue of interest to outsiders.
The EFCC has, however, downplayed the controversy that has trailed Ribadu’s study leave. The commission’s spokesman last week, Mr. Osita Nwajah, condemned media reports that created the impression that its boss is at loggerheads with President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.
Ribadu paid a visit to the President last Friday. The details of his meeting with Yar’Adua were not made public.
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives is divided over moves by some of its members to initiate a probe of Ribadu�s tenure.
The move, which has started causing ripples among new and ranking members of the House, is aimed at countering some Delta State members of the Integrity Group who weekend said they would initiate the probe process over allegations that Ribadu grossly abused his office as the chairman of the commission.
Chairman of the House Committee on Drugs, Narcotics and Financial Crimes, Hon. Dave Salako, declared that nobody or group of members in the House has the right to initiate probe into the operations of the EFCC and its Chairman other than his own committee.
Salako, who did not rule out a probe, explained that only the committee could make such a move, adding that his committee was concerned about the misgivings generated by the study leave approved for Ribadu.
According to him, his committee had resolved to probe the issues surrounding the misgivings on the course for Ribadu at the Nigerian Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), adding that doing so would entail an invitation to Ribadu to properly brief the House on issues surrounding the development.
A former member of the House, Dr Haruna Yerima, who also spoke from his Kaduna base, cautioned the House against embarking on moves that Nigerians would see as abetting corruption.
History, he noted, would record Ribadu as one Nigerian who put everything at his disposal to fight the cankerworm that had slowed down the progress of the nation, hence, a parliament like the House should not be seen as undermining a crusade against corruption.
Ribadu, he noted, may not be perfect in carrying out his duties but �it is on record that he had instilled fear in the mind of fraudsters and corrupt public officers at all levels of governance�.
Jan72008