Vanguard (Lagos)

Nigeria:Ribadu on Bode George, Others - 'Our Country Will Rise Above the Present Rot!'

27 October 2009


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Below is a statement by Nuhu Ribadu, the former head of Nigeria's Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) following the conviction of Nigerian Port Authority (NPA) officials, including the former Chairman Bode George and other board members, for multiple counts of corruption.

The conviction of Chief Olabode George, former Chairman Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), and four other board members, Monday at the court of Justice Joseph Olubunmi Oyewole, in Ikeja Lagos, marks a great reference point in the investigation, prosecution, and trial of corruption cases in Nigeria.

I salute the courage and intellect of the learned judge who has demonstrated over time that he is an exemplary reference point in the fight against corruption and for a true definition of rule of law in the country.

As is very well known, the successful resolution of cases in favour of justice and equity, commence from a thorough investigation. In this regard, we must also salute the long and strained investigation leading to the indictment of Bode George in 2005.

At moments like this, investigators stretched out in exhilarating adrenalin, are rightly thrilled that their hard work is rewarded by the society and its best institutions.

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It is a measure of the shamelessness of our elites and the institutions that fuel their values that Chief George could be awarded a national honour in our country, and that he could later sue some newspapers for libel on account of the damning indictment report I prepared against him.

Chief George's subsequent prosecution is evidence that ultimately the law catches up with the bad guys.

Cynics will find therapy in the courageous stature of Justice Oyewole whose extraordinary example, in concluding a full trial of such a complicated case in just 14 months, ought to guide other courts where cases of grand corruption are still trapped.

Nigeria will be great again!

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Author: rexmanyeto
Wed Oct 28 03:37:31 2009

Congratulations..Nigerian Judiciary..the world watches with interest on your leadership with justice for all. We know that there is no peace in Nigeria unless Justice is transparent. Don't allow the Criminal Appeallant Lawyers to undermine the Judicial System; to defend the indefensible undermines the Judicial System and encourages the average citizen to take the law into his hand instead of obeying the law. Please be brave for the sake of all Black People in the world to make Africans Proud. We are all degraded when Nigeria allows the few unscrupulous citizens to undermine the diginity of all Black People. It is never too late to change. Nigeria will be rebranded when educated professional thieves are jailed to prevent future criminal minded citizens from abusing their opportunity to serve our country and mankind.

Author: Iyke Anaebuo
Wed Oct 28 11:33:57 2009

Simply put, Bode George is a big criminal. He connived with Mbadinuju to loot the treasury of Anambra State dry. Yes, Bode took undue advantage of Mbadinuju's desperation for a second tenure to loot ANS treasury. Or have you forgotten how Bode George conducted the PDP primaries in ANS in 2003? Bode George was confortable pocketing the money meant for the payment of salaries and pension is ANS and the criminal Mbadinuju was shameless singing his usual tune of zero allocation. The result was that salaries and pension were not paid for nine solid months and schools in ANS were under lock and key for nine whole months. The problem is that people like Bode George has no conscience, otherwise his conscience would have told him that he is a big rogue and ought to have been a VIP(Very Important Prisoner)long before now. The wicked like Bode George, be it Olusegun Obasanjo, IBB etc must never go unpunished. Iyke Anaebuo, a native of Ihembosi in ANS, writes from London.

Author: nsiks2009
Tue Oct 27 16:39:33 2009

WOW! you mean 28 years in jail?isnt that too much,as if they are criminals.as if they were not govt officials.welldone,afta all no body is above d law.thanks

Author: Macker
Sun Nov 15 10:03:41 2009

@nsiks2009, Infact he should be gun down and properties be return to goverment since they were dubiously acquire.

Author: protocol84
Tue Oct 27 17:45:18 2009

Hopefully,these fellows may not have a chance to get out of jail through the so called appeal process.It is time to practice the word"No body is above the law in Nigeria".The days are past when only the poor and the little guys face the music of justice in our land.Commit the crime,you serve the time.No more preferential treatment and lets keep it that way.Good job an Ikeja High Court Judge, you have shown a tremendous courage in delivering justice.

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