Abuja — Former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, yesterday had brief discussion with President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua at the presidential Villa.
The talks which lasted for some minutes were at the instance of President Yar'Adua. This is the first time that the duo would be meeting publicly since Ribadu dragged authorities of the Nigeria Police Force to court over his demotion.
Ribadu who was in company of other participants Senior Executive Course 30 of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, Jos was the cynosure of all eyes.
Demoted Ribadu had filed out in the capacity Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa like other students of the prestigious academy waiting to have a hand shake with the President.
But rather than just greet him like other President Yar'Adua decided to have a longer time with him.
Reporters who thronged around the point Ribadu was standing when it was his turn to receive the President could not hear the details of the conversation.
But there are indications that the President may have pacified him to accept his recent woes at NIPPS as an act of God.
Unlike his colleagues in the armed forces who were decked in their uniforms and their ranks, Mallam Ribadu was dressed in a white Agbada with a cap to match.
And also unlike his colleagues who introduced themselves with their ranks and their place of work before Mr President, the former EFCC boss simply introduced himself by saying "Your Excellency, I am Mallam Nuhu Ribadu of the Nigeria Police Force".
When it was time for the presidential handshake, the president took the longest time as he held onto Nuhu Ribadu.
Before the arrival of President Yar'Adua at the venue of the assignment where course participant were seated, Ribadu was sighted having a prolong discussion with Special Assistant on Protocol to the President, Alhaji Inua Baba.
Efforts by state house correspondents to interview Mallam Ribadu were thwarted by some of his colleagues.
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Whether Mallam Nuhu Ribadu had a prolong discussion with President Umaru Musa Yar'adua or not should not be the issue right now.
The issue is, what does the law says about a Serving Police Officer sueing the authority (Police Service Commission, IGP and AGF) that made him.
Ribadu's agony is an eye opener to those of us serving in the NPF that whatever you do, try to apply "Number Six". I suggest, Mal Ribadu was 'too' loyal to president Obasanjo and stepped on people's toes.
Finally, Ribadu should not be ashamed to wear the uniform of the Deputy Commission of Police afterall, most of his course mates are still hanging CSP ranks.
May God help Ribadu.
Mr. President can inure himself to the goodwill of Nigerians by making up with Mr. Ribadu. To do so will dispel the global impression that his administration is not serious about truly fighting corruption and that anybody that dares to challenge the status quo of elites corruption will suffer the same fate as Mr. Ribadus and that would be a bad precedent for the future generation. I hope this rumor is true cuz, that is the kind of news we'll like to believe is true. We are watching.
Who are the Nigerian "elites"? No generalities, if you don't mind.
Regards.
Hey guys, the likes of James Ibori, Lucky Igbinedion, Chimaroke Nnamani, Orji Kalu and the rest of those goveernors donated a huge amount of stolen money to Yaraduaduring the 2007 and you expect the same Yaradua to prosecute the se governors !. We are talking about Nigeria for God' sake. The irony of the whole issue is that Yaradua had the audacity to declare the campaign money as part of his own personal asset when he was declaring assets prior to assumption of office.
The Nigerian "Ruling Elite" are the Nigerian politicians and/or the retired military officers-turned politicians dating as far back as the mid-1960s when they started passing the baton of corruption to their children so these old guards can perpetuate their corrupt tendencies to their children, kith & kin to continue to plunder while serving in the same office or withing the same status as their fathers from where they can protect their stollen assets acquired by cheating the common man. The numbers of these elite are so small, probably 5,000 of them that, if the balance 99% of Nigerias 145M population - these poor souls outside of those ruling elite, had known how small their numbers are would've been encouraged to overthrow them within a single day thereby usher in a new dawn of peoples power instead of this current crop of hooligans falsely calling themselves honorable & excellencies when in fact their actions are dishonorable and un-excellent. To those corrupt ruling elites calling them pick-pockets, armed robbers is a term of endearment - as they continue to plunder and buy new cars for themselves while the general populace they were supposed to represent and care for continues to wallow in abject poverty.
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