EMBATTLED former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, is ready to commence his legal battle challenging his demotion from the rank of Assistant Inspector-General of Police to Deputy Commissioner and his subsequent dismissal from the Nigeria Police Force

To this end, he has assembled a team of more than 40 lawyers, including 12 Senior Advocates of Nigeria.

In his legal team are Lagos lawyer, Chief Gani Fawehinmi (SAN); former Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Professor Yemi Osinbajo (SAN); Mr Tayo Oyetibo (SAN); Mr Femi Falana and Mr Charles Musa.

Seventy other lawyers have also indicated interest to offer free legal services to Mallam Ribadu when the case commences immediately the striking Judicial staff workers end their strike.

A source close to the former EFCC Chairman said: "As we speak, we have at least 40 lawyers who have been formally co-opted into the legal team. Besides the likes of Chief Gani Fawehinmi (SAN); former Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Prof Yemi Osinbajo (SAN); Mr. Tayo Oyetibo (SAN); Mr. Femi Falana and Mr Charles Musa, the number of lawyers who have joined the legal team has risen to about 40.

"Many more have since indicated interest, and I am certain of a formidable legal team, including a dozen SANs, and about 70 lawyers, when the matter at the Federal High Court, Abuja and ECOWAS Court gets underway," he added.

Ribadu adamant

Ribadu is said to be adamant in his resolve to pursue the matter to its logical conclusion, re-iterating his confidence in the nation's judiciary.

"He is determined to successfully challenge his dismissal like in the cases of Ugowe, Alozie Ogugbuaja, Cletus Ezerobo and Rufus Amokeodo who successfully challenged their dismissal in court, rather than take flight to the comfort of a well paid job in a foreign land. He is still as passionate as he was about this country, when he was EFCC Chairman," a source close to him said.

Ribadu's dismissal on December 23, 2008, was the highpoint of his travails, an anti-climax to a soaring career. He was asked to proceed on a course at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, Jos.

He was about to complete his course when the Police Service Commission demoted him from the rank of an Assistant Inspector-General of Police to that of Deputy Commissioner for alleged acts of indiscipline. Among offences that led to his dismissal are his refusal to report to his new duty post in Benin and his failure to appear before Police disciplinary committee.

Ribadu is challenging his demotion and subsequent dismissal at the Federal High Court in Abuja and ECOWAS Court, Abuja.

Group faults PSC on Ribadu

Meanwhile, a group, The Network on Police Reform in Nigeria (NOPRIN), has condemned the speed with which the Police Service Commission (PSC) acted on the report of the Police Disciplinary Committee set up by the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Mike Okiro, to try Mallam Ribadu, noting that the commission did not afford Ribadu an opportunity to defend the allegation against him.

The group in a petition to the chairman of the Police Service Commission, yesterday said: "We are concerned about the action and procedure of your Commission and requests that you address these concerns. Was it the right legal procedure and within the powers of the IGP, who is Ribadu's accuser, to set up a disciplinary committee to try Ribadu for alleged acts of misconduct?

Did the PSC delegate such powers to the IGP? Was it right to do so, if it did? Wasn't the PSC required by law to independently and impartially investigate the allegations brought against Ribadu by the Police? And in doing so, was Ribadu not entitled to be invited by the PSC and given the opportunity to defend himself?

"We observe that the speed and zeal with which the PSC acted in dismissing Nuhu Ribadu from the Police Force for gross misconduct contrasts sharply with the oversight agency's negligent attitude towards other more serious allegations of egregious abuse and gross misconducts, particularly the ones that our previously petitioned your Commission about.

"We find it amazing, even curious that the PSC could act with such dizzying speed in treating allegations involving Ribadu but ignored to act on more serious cases of police misconduct brought to its attention by our organisation and individuals.

For example, in October 2008 alone we petitioned the PSC concerning some rank and file and superior police officers who engaged in various egregious abuses and serious misconducts.

"We have brought so many cases to the attention of the PSC through various petitions in 2008. But up till date, the PSC was yet to even acknowledge any of these petitions, much less act on them. But curiously, the same PSC has often acted with a seeming swift malevolence when it involved Ribadu.

"We believe that the PSC ought to play independent, impartial and effective oversight roles, and not taint its activities with partisan or political allegiance or sympathy.

It should not act in such a manner that will portray it as a political tool in the hands of corrupt and vindictive politicians.

"The commission must act in accordance with due process and in a manner devoid of impartiality. It has an obligation to investigate- with equal attention-all allegations of serious Police misconduct, and all complaints received from members of the public, and make appropriate and effective responses based upon the outcomes.

It must be timely in its response to complaints, ensure the integrity of its investigation process and strive to constantly improve the quality and responsiveness of its service to the public and the police," the group said.