Waziri may replace Ribadu as EFCC boss
Waziri may replace Ribadu as EFCC boss
Baring any last-minute changes, The Presidency may soon submit the name of Mrs. Farida Waziri, a retired Assistant Inspector General of Police, to the Senate for confirmation as the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Waziri, who headed the investigation department of the police before she bowed out of service, is being positioned to replace Mr. Nuhu Ribadu, currently on course at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, Plateau State.
Sources in The Presidency said a serving AIG, Mr. Haruna Yusuf, and Waziri were being considered before the choice was narrowed down to Waziri. Two lawmakers in the National Assembly confirmed to our correspondent that Waziri had been selected for the job. One of them wondered why her name had not been forwarded to the Senate for confirmation since the matter had been concluded. He said, “The choice is retired AIG Waziri, a woman, who was said to have done very well when she headed the investigation department before she was retired. “I know the move; and I am surprised that her name has not gone to the Senate for confirmation.” Another lawmaker, a former intelligence officer, told our correspondent on Sunday in a telephone interview: “I have also heard about it. But I am not in a position to confirm.”
While at Kuru, Ribadu is believed to have maintained that he was still calling the shots at the EFCC. His study-leave in December 2007 provoked national and international outcry, just as some political motives were linked to his removal. The forced ‘exit’ came in the wake of prosecutions of many former governors who had corruption charges levelled against them by the EFCC.
Former governors, Chief Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia); Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani ( Enugu ); and Chief James Ibori (Delta); Chief Lucky Igbinedion ( Edo ), are among those standing trial based on EFCC charges.
In a letter dated January 7 2008 to Yar’Adua, Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Mr. Antonio Maria Costa, demanded explanations from the Nigerian government over the removal of Ribadu, noting that he (Ribadu) was crucial to a $30million UN project in Nigeria , dealing with financial crimes. He said, “I recall, Mr. President, our discussion a few weeks ago about the important role of the EFCC chairman in making sure that the UNODC/EU project moves forward most successfully. “Your reassurance at the time was helpful in planning the extension of the contribution agreement from October 2008 to the end of 2009.”
According to Section 2 (3) of the EFCC Act 2002, “The chairman and members of the commission other than the ex-officio members shall be appointed by the President, subject to the confirmation of the Senate.” Besides moves by former governors most of whom are facing corrupt charges, the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Mr. Michael Aondoakaa, had been flexing muscles with Ribadu over how the anti-graft war should be tackled.
However, Senator Ndoma-Egba (SAN) faulted any move to make another appointment into Ribadu’s office when his appointment is still subsisting. He said, “The appointment (of the EFCC chairman) is statutory; for another appointment to be made, there has to be a proper termination of the tenure of the present occupant.”
The House Committee on Narcotics, Drugs and Financial Crimes met the President last week, during which it advised him to strengthen the EFCC, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and other anti-graft bodies, through more funding.
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