Nuhu Ribadu: Supreme Court Supports War On Corruption

Pioneer chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu has applauded the Supreme Court for what he called a tradition of support to anti corruption initiatives, through the Apex Court’s judgments. He said credit for years of efforts to rid the country of corruption should not be given to executive arm alone, adding that the Judiciary and the Legislature have played critical roles in making a success out of the nation’s fight against corruption.

Speaking while chairing a public lecture on “Fighting Corruption in Nigeria: The Journey So Far”, at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), in Abuja, Ribadu particularly hailed the justices of the Supreme Court recalling that that there was no time they gave judgments that undermined the fight against corruption. “We have had very iconic, astute and honest judges who work with the fear of God and patriotism.

Our superior courts have on more occasions than one showed commitment to the fight against corruption. “The Supreme Court of Nigeria, in particular, has been a shining example in this regard. I cannot remember, in all my years of service, when the Supreme Court went against anti-corruption efforts. We have had amazing judgments that often became golden references in support of the war against corruption.

“For example, all efforts to whittle the powers of the EFCC and ICPC have been vehemently rejected by the Supreme Court. “I see this tradition of the Apex Court beingupheld by the current set of justices in the Supreme Court. Only recently, the court gave an impressive judgment in the case of one of the governors that has been lingering for about 10 years, and chastised the appellants for the frivolities. “This posture in favour of the war against corruption by the Supreme Court is something that deserves special mention, and commendation,” he said.

Ribadu also hailed the efforts of the National Assembly for passing enabling laws making it possible for the law enforcement organisations to prosecute the anti-graft war. Another set of stake holders whose support was crucial to the anticorruption were “non-state actors such as the media and civil society groups who often set the agenda and give the needed backing at critical junctures”.

In his address, the guest lecturer and member of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, Prof. Femi Odekunle said there was the need for radical approach to addressing the corruption scourge in the country.He lamented that effort by the President Muhammadu Buhari to fight corruption is being scuttled by forces from within and outside the administration, citing the example of the delay in the confirmation of EFCC acting chairman, Mr Ibrahim Magu.