Sufuyan Ojeifo
30 November 2008
Abuja — Chairman of Senate Committee on Privatisation, Senator Ayo Arise (Ekiti North), said weekend in Abuja that the former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Malam Nuhu Ribadu, was only exercising his right by going to court to challenge his demotion from the rank of Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) to Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP).
Arise, who cautioned the police authorities on the possible negative effects the face-off between them and Ribadu could have on the national psyche, said that the authorities should not pander to the whims of powerful forces that see Ribadu as "a major problem" to them and were therefore determined to cut him to size.
He admitted that the police was also right to enforce its Code of Ethics on its members as it had since been attempting to do in the case of Ribadu, but stressed that the authorities should ensure a balance between its attempts and the right of Ribadu to seek redress in court.
Arise said that the matter between the police authorities and Ribadu should be looked at in a very objective manner even as he advised that further action by the police authorities on the matter should be put on hold until the court had taken a decision in the suit filed by Ribadu.
He stated in an interview: "The challenge that I see in the case surrounding Ribadu is that we should always try to look at things in a very objective manner. Let's look at the issue of uniform-when the police authorities wanted to set up a disciplinary committee, they were of the opinion that Ribadu was not wearing his uniform at places that he's supposed to have worn his uniform.
"Eventually, they now set up a disciplinary committee for him to face court martial and orderly trial. Ribadu claimed that he doesn't know which rank he will wear, because he has gone to court to challenge his demotion from AIG. So, he is now relying on the status quo, neither could he go to the new rank and he now decided not to wear a uniform."
He said further: "I'm not so deep into the operations of the police. But I can only use my own understanding of how they conduct themselves in the society to assess. Since he's gone to court to challenge his demotion, I think it is not out of place for the police to await the outcome of the matter.
"But having said that, there might be procedures which within the police could allow the Inspector General to do what he is doing. However, there should be a separation that as a policeman, these are the codes of conduct, the code of the profession."
He continued: "As somebody who went to serve this country, who feels he was compensated for putting his best, I want to find out where the dividing line is. So, periodically, I look at the issue with a very open mind.
"On the one hand, the Police authorities have to maintain the code of the police. So, that is why it is difficult for me to say this is what this person should do or what he should have done or what are the options open to him. The police can transfer him to anywhere; they can post him to anywhere.
"But I believe he too has the right to challenge that demotion and see it to a logical conclusion. Invariably, if he wants to stay within the police force to challenge the demotion, then I would imagine that the Police should wait till the court decides on the matter."
Arise further added: "The way I've seen it is that on one hand, the police must maintain hierarchical level of discipline and enforce the code of conduct. That should be separated from what Ribadu had achieved as chairman of EFCC. That demotion was uncalled for.
"The guy (Ribadu) got it and any other person in the police that is given an assignment and he excels in his assignment to the acclaim of people of this country and of the international community, deserves to be compensated. If it's a promotion that is used to compensate such, I don't think there is any problem with that.
"In the primary school in those days, there were some exceptional students that got double promotion and they would go to the next class. I've never heard of a place where another headmaster comes to the school and says you have to go back; that you are being promoted because of this and that.
"So, I think that it's an issue that is very touching and the police have not acted in a way that Nigerians will salute them for what they did."
He declared: "I think a few people who Ribadu threatened successfully and who still see him as a major problem to them to enjoy their loot in this country are those behind the travails of Ribadu.
"Having said that, I think Ribadu has his own issues and I think those issues should be separated from the ones that he did very well for the benefit of this country."
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I believe Mr. Arise has spoken with open mind and in good spirit. I also believe Mr. Ribadu was confused about the kind of appropriate official uniform to be worn before the Head of State. Anyway, I want justice without prejudise, politics or witch-hunting. Thank you.
Arise has really spoken with open mind.The Police Authority should realize that Ribadu did not promote himself in the first instance why must he be dealt with so severely as it now appeared to be. Another thing to consider in Ribadu's case on Police Officer's Official Appearance before the Head of State is his defence statement. To me, his defence was in order. He may not have known the appropriate uniform to be worn. Anyway, justice should be allowed to stand without politics or wishhunting.