Ribadu breaks silence on Buhari’s anti-corruption war

The pioneer chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission
(EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, on Tuesday, declared that the
anti-corruption crusade of President Muhammadu Buhari is on course.

Ribadu also said the issue of the reinstatement of former head of the
Presidential Taskforce Team on Pension Reform, Abdulrasheed Maina,
should not be used as a yardstick in judging the country's
anti-corruption crusade.

Speaking at the unveiling of a novel, 'The Shadow List', written by
former United States Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Africa,
Todd Moss, the former EFCC boss said he was proud of the commission he
bequeathed to the country, and added that the war against corruption
should not be limited to one's country.

On the Maina case, Ribadu said it was not fair to reduce the
anti-corruption war to a single case.

"I don't think it is fair to reduce it to one single case, to judge
the work one is doing, especially somebody who is heading an
anti-corruption commission, who is heading the entire war or fight the
government is doing against corruption and economic crimes.

"There is no doubt, whether you like Magu or you hate him, you know he
is a courageous person. There is no doubt that nobody can question the
integrity of Magu. No! I know him. I am very proud of him and I think
he is doing a wonderful job," Ribadu said.

Speaking further, Ribadu said from the number of cases being handled,
coupled with recoveries being made, including money and properties
globally, the EFCC was truly on course.

"Also, the number of cases in our courts today that are being
prosecuted diligently, it tells you what is happening with the EFCC.
Anybody can say anything, but, the responsibility of the EFCC is to
investigate cases, build up cases, seize properties that are subject
of investigation and then, go to court.

"We have how many cases now? Hundreds of cases or even thousands.
Every single day, there is an ongoing big EFCC case taking place in
our courts. It tells you the story again of what is happening with the
EFCC.

"They are doing a very wonderful job and this is the most difficult
job you can do in Nigeria. I can tell you. It is not a child's play,"
Ribadu added.