RIBADU DEMOTED; LIKELY TO BE ARRESTED

Nigeria's former corruption czar, Nuhu Ribadu, was publicly demoted yesterday by Nigeria's Police Service Commission. In reality, news of his demotion hit the newsstands almost a month earlier with quoted sources claiming that Ribadu's upcoming demotion was due to his rapid rise through the ranks of the police force and because

"Ribadu has stepped on toes; many officers in the Nigeria Police cannot tolerate his arrogance and confrontational nature. They believed he is so full of himself as he hardly pays compliments to his colleagues and seniors". [sic]

Ribadu who was once head of the Economic Finance Crimes Commission (EFCC) and under whose leadership the EFCC recovered over N600 billion in stolen public funds, has now gone from a rank of Assistant Inspector General of Police (apparently, the number two position) to the rank of a Deputy Commissioner. Ordinarily, the demotion of any police officer would not be something to think about for more than a few seconds. But, this is Nigeria and with many things in Nigeria, one must think critically in order to get a grasp of the issues involved. This is one such political incident.

THE BACKSTORY
Many will remember that Ribadu was removed from the EFCC and sent to Kuru for 'training' 8 months ago. At the time, Inspector General Mike Okiri and others explained that every police officer of the rank of Assistant Inspector General must go through the training course and suggested that it was merely a temporary transfer. Many Nigerians argued that Ribadu's 'temporary' transfer was simply a way to get rid of the EFCC chief. These fears were clearly correct because during this 'temporary' tansfer, Ribadu was initially replaced by an acting chief. Furthermore, despite the fact that Ribadu was never publicly removed from his post, a new head, Mrs Farida Waziri, was instituted for the Commission.

DEAR MR. PRESIDENT
It was clear from the beginning of President Yar'Adua's administration that Ribadu's days were numbered. The Attorney General, Michael Aondoakaa, publicly criticized and even deliberately interfered in EFCC investigations. The public squabble between Ribadu and Aondoakaa is now of epic proportion. But this is not about Aondoakaa. Not yet., as that is a story for another day. This is about Yardy. How can a President hailed for his committment to being "fair and transparent" sit back and watch the unfair treatment and public humiliation of an individual who, while not being perfect, did his job to the best of his ability in the name of the nation? How can a President who espouses the importance of the 'rule of law' sit back and watch an officer who is now criticized for his many rapid promotions (promotions which were apparently justified based solely on the unprecendented amount that his organization retrieved from corrupt officials and individuals) be transferred from his office under the rouse of 'training', be replaced without officially removing him from his position and then demoted for nothing other than stepping on a few toes while doing a good job? And, I can't help but ask the obvious, but if Ribadu should never have been Assistant Inspector General in the first place, and if everyone knew he would simply demoted, why send him to Kuru for training, in the first place, wasting time and money? And now, Mike Okiro has announced that Ribadu was not eligible (due to the new demoted rank) to take the training course at Kuru, but that he would not ask Ribadu to leave.

Some will argue that my focus on the President in this instance is unnecessary. Maybe they are right, after all, this President has made it clear that he will not interfere in matters outside his office as he made clear in the Ettehgate situation and many others. However, this is a President that has publicly and continuously committed himself to the rule of law, due process and anti corruption, as such, matters involving the EFCC and its former head are clearly under his territory and above all, he is the President of the federation, he has no choice but to get his hands dirty. The least he could have done to appease 'the gods that be' is stress the importance of offering Ribadu a chance to resign from the police force once his training is completed. That way, Ribadu is removed from the police force (which is what certain interests likely want) and everyone can continue with their lives, Ribadu included. Instead, there is this catty engagement and the obvious appearance of revenge against an individual who did the job he was charged to do.

PUNISHMENT FOR A JOB WELL DONE

Yes, punishment for a job well done is increasingly a Nigerian trademark. I hate to say it, but, I am seeing the signs everywhere. Ribadu was alegedly offered and he refused a $15 million bribe by Ibori to stop the EFCC investigation against him. I wonder if he is now second guessing that decision. Because, for all his work against corruption, Ribadu is yet to be properly recognized in his own country, the World Bank had to do it, honoring the man with an award for outstanding public service. Instead, we Nigerians are committed to the erasal of the hard work done for the nation in its anti corruption crusade. It seems doing a good job will only bring embarrasment and shame.

For all the criticism, I must say that Ribadu did his job. We might have expected him to do much more and to investigate a wider spectrum of people, I raise this to reflect the incessant questions about whether Ribadu protected OBJ's friends. Despite this, I stress that the recovery of N600 billion under his watch was no small feat and will even go as far as claiming that it was unprecedented. In fact, one could actually make the argument that once the EFCC began to investigate those with ties to OBJ, Ibori, OBJ's daughter Obasanjo-Bello, the plug was pulled and the 'wahala' (trouble) began for Nigeria's corruption czar.

And, now, it has become clear that Nigeria's State Security Services (SSS) stormed Kuru in an attempt to arrest Ribadu for 'questioning'. I am no expert on issues involving the SSS, but if they have chosen to approach their fellow officer and national servant in this manner, I strongly advise Ribadu to go talk to whoever wants him interrogated, answer their questions, move your family out of their country and at the end of your course, resign and leave as well, because Nigeria is indeed not a country for brave men. Or women, so the new head of the EFCC should take serious notes and recognize that this could be her in a few years if she does her job right.

Read here for the reactions of hundreds of Nigerians to news of Ribadu's demotion.

Hattip to Rethots, who requested my thoughts on this matter and challenged me to focus on an issue I admittedly ignored. Thank you for the challenge, my brother.

Further Reading:
- Ibori, The EFCC & The Future of Nigeria's Anti-Corruption Crusade
- Ribadu's Removal
- Calls For Aondoakaa's Removal Increase
- Sabotage: Aondoakaa vs. Ribadu Et. Al.
- Nigerian Curiosity's Person of 2007
- Political Soap Operas: Nigerian Style
- An EFCC Revival?

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AND, I RAISE MY GLASS...

To the people.

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BRUTISH AIRWAYS, AGAIN!!!!

Brutish Airways is having a hard time. The Brutes now have a 5% drop in passenger numbers according to Business Week. These numbers were even higher when travel to the African continent was considered. Passenger numbers to Africa fell by 7.9%. The Airline is blaming tough economic times for its woes.

Well, instead of dealing with its dwindling economic numbers, the Brutes have now sued Mr. Ayodeji Omotade, the man at the center of the Brutish Airways incident that led to the Nigerian boycott of the airline. Omotade who at one point was accused of doing 'something illicit' for attempting to travel with approximately £1600 (a wedding gift for his brother and sister in law), is now accused of "threatening, abusing, insulting and disorderly behavior towards a member of the crew of the aircraft."

And what is the Nigerian government doing about all this? Your guess is as good as mine. Yardy's administration took a full month to react to the initial incident and then threatened that it "would not tolerate the inhuman treatment of any Nigerian for any reason, even when there are allegations of criminal activities." Yardy even went as far as promising Nigerians in South Africa that his administration would place sanctions on the airline.

Instead, Yardy recently went on an official visit to the United Kingdom. This was despite the very controversial fact that British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, offered military intervention to 'help' in the Niger Delta. This offer of 'assistance' has now been seen as an attempt to infringe on the national sovereignty and potentially transform Nigeria into a war zone. If that in itself was not reason enough to cancel the President's trip, then a little lawsuit against a Nigerian citizen whose maltreatment sparked heated debate, diplomatic talks, lawsuits by the Nigerian Bar Association, and the outrage of Nigerians and other sympathetic non-Nigerians around the world is never going to be enough to get Nigeria's leadership to truly protect national pride and interests. Thankfully, a group of organized Nigerians, the Liberty Forum, protested Yardy's visit and forced many of his events in London to be changed or cancelled. If that trip is Yardy's way of working for the Nigerian public and the interests of the people, then the average Nigerian cannot be criticized for continuing to believe that Nigerians cannot wait for their government to protect them.

What is even more unfortunate than the reality that the Nigerian government is unwilling to take any real steps in protecting Omotade and/or Nigerians in general is the saddening reality that Nigerians are not doing enough damage to Brutish Airways. I commend all those who continue to do their part, no matter how small to stand up against discrimination against Nigerians. In Nigerians, 'Brutish Airways & Respect Pt. 1', I specifically pointed to a few strategic options that could show Brutish Airways and any other organization that Nigerians must be respected because our money is just as good as any other consumer. This, if ever, is the time for Nigerians to hit the Brutes where it hurts. The company is already suffering financially and the current state of the global economy does not suggest that things will improve for the airline. Now imagine if every Nigerian and sympathetic supporter travelling with a competitor of the Brutes specifically called competitors and said "I am buying a ticket from you because I am boycotting Brutish Airways." Just that simple act alone, in large numbers would be significant.

Once again, I insist that the current administration ban Brutish Airways from Nigeria's airspace. In addition to this and the other suggestions I have made, I believe that Lagosians should shut down the streets around BA's Victoria island offices via peaceful protest. Residents of Abuja should do the same. BA's headquarters, wherever they may be in the United Kingdom should also be visited by peaceful protesters. And, since the Nigerian government is clearly 'ill-equiped' to protect the interests of its citizens, they should suffer the consequences as well. And as for Omotade, I wish him the best in defending himself against BA. I also hope that someone recorded the incident that happened on that flight from Heathrow that resulted in 136 Nigerian passengers being removed from the flight. Video footage would help to show the world what exactly happened and it would hopefully, put this case to rest.



Further Reading:
1 - Nigerians, 'Brutish' Airways & Respect Pt. 1
2 - Nigerians, 'Brutish' Airways & Respect Pt 2
3 - Finally, Some Concrete Nigerian 'Action' on Brutish Airways
4 - "Casual Racism" at Brutish Airways?
5 - A Brutish Airways 'Apology'?
6 - More on Brutish Airways
7 - Brutish Airways Calls Police on Nigerians
8 - Possible Sanctions Against Brutish Airways

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THE DEMONS THAT HOLD SWAY OVER NIGERIA

A favorite past time of mine is to scour the web and find Nigerians who are having discussions or expressing their opinions about Nigerian and global events. I recently happened upon the blog of a young Nigerian called Naija Pikin. His post was titled - Are We Cursed?

The writer, AustynZOGS, confessed,

I am tempted to want to give in to the school of thought that strongly believes that a demonic cabal is happy holding us down.

He then went on to share a quote that he believed was appropriate to Nigeria. It stated - 'In a sick country, every effort to cure its sickness is an affront on those who profit from its illness.''

After reading his post, I could not help but share my thoughts on the issue he raised and I have provided a copy of my comment below.

"... the issue you raise is one that millions have probably considered. I'm not sure if a workable answer/solution has been derived.

The only demons that hold sway over Nigeria, are Nigerians themselves. No one to blame but us. We have had the best opportunities to create a nation that should be a leading example for every human being, but we have failed.

Can we overcome this failure? Absolutely. Failure is simply an opportunity to revise the game plan and attack the problem(s) with a better and successful strategy. Why haven't we achieved this success? For the very reason you referred to with [the] quote - those who benefit from the status quo will protect it with everything they have.

That is basically the way of the world and it is not a new phenomenon. The issue, in my opinion, becomes when will the average Nigerian realize that they as a collection of individuals and interests can demand and work towards change that will benefit everyone and not just those that already are advantaged by the current status quo? I pray that that time will come sooner rather than later, because the Nigeria that I know, and the Nigeria I take pains to study does not have time to wait for the 'government' to make changes from the top to the bottom. Nigeria needs a bottom - up strategy that will likely be organic. It needs minds and psychology to change in order to have a populace that engages in democracy and the decisions that will transform the country."

Now, I know some will criticize this approach and stress that Nigeria suffers from the vestiges of colonialism. Technically, I do not disagree with that point. I however strongly believe that Nigeria is the one country that has everything it needs to overcome and surpass any disadvantages/hurdles. On this day, I point fingers at noone. We are all to blame for the situation Nigeria is currently in - every single one of us.

And as to my dismissing the influence of the "demonic cabal" AustynZOGS refers to, the Devil doesn't have to do much with Nigeria and its madness. He just sits back and watches us do the work for him. Yes, Nigerians make it easy. We give the Devil, and indeed the demons that might hold sway, a holiday.

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LOOK TO THE IVORY COAST FOR INSPIRATION

I had the good fortune of living in Cote D'Ivoire for almost 7 years. It is a beautiful country with wonderful people, incredible music, great food and excellent beaches. I must confess that despite the recent insecurity and fighting that nation has experienced, Cote D'Ivoire and specifically, the city of Abidjan, will always have a special place in my heart.

Well, Cote D'Ivoire, or the Ivory Coast as non-French speakers call it, has done something that Nigeria's government should pay attention to. There was a riot in April when the government increased the price of diesel. In response, the Ivorian government has just announced that it will slash the salaries of Ministers by half to subsidize the lower cost of diesel for the masses.

Source: Selay

This action is unparalleled in West Africa as far as I am aware. In fact, I have never heard of such happening anywhere. And, even though it could simply be a means to get votes for the upcoming November elections, the mere fact that the Ivorian government listened to the people and took a decisive step to make appease citizens is commendable. I do no know how far this decision will go to keep diesel prices at a manageable price for Ivorians, but the fact that Ministers will experience a pay cut shows that that nation's leaders are willing to bear the burdens of tough global economic times right alongside the common man. This is enough to give the people confidence in their government and hope that future disagreements will be solved by compromise.

Now, if only there was such unparalleled action in Nigeria on a whole host of issues....

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