Abuja Tribunal Orders Ribadu's Arrest

NUHU RIBADU. Photo: Next.

Abuja (THEWILL) - The code of Conduct Tribunal Friday in Abuja ordered the arrest of former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, for his failure to appear before it.

Ribadu is being tried for allegedly not declaring all of his assets while he was chairman of the EFCC.

Justice Constance Momoh said Ribadu’s deliberate absence has frustrated the tribunal’s effort at commencing proceedings in the matter. She wants him arrested by the Inspector-General of Police, Ogbonnaya Onovo and brought before the tribunal at its next sitting on December 4, 2009.

In his reaction to the order, Ribadu’s attorney, Femi Falana accused the tribunal of acting a script saying that the tribunal lacked the competence to try his client. He assured the body that his client would not appear before it until the tribunal removes itself from the manipulation of the Presidency.

Our investigations actually confirm that lawyers for the former chairman have consistently demanded that the Code of Conduct Bureau make available a certified true copy of the asset declaration form submitted to it by their client to help them prepare their defence, but the bureau has refused to comply.

One of Ribadu’s lawyers, Shola Igbeyinka, told the tribunal that the refusal negates section 36(b) of the 1999 Constitution which states that “ any person charged before the court should be given enough time and required materials to prepare their trial.”

Mallam Ribadu in an interview some weeks ago in London said the charges were merely trumped up to lure him back to the country. He also blamed those he had prosecuted for corruption in the past as being responsible for this. He emphasized that he would not be appearing before the tribunal.