afrol News, 6 August - Nigeria police has demoted former anti-corruption chief Nuhu Ribadu for what has been termed irregular promotion, during former President Olusegun Obasanjo's regime.

Mr Ribadu who was charged with prosecuting several corrupt top former officials in government, his efforts to fight corruption in one of the world's most corrupt countries had been applauded by many Nigerians and by foreign investors.

Former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Ribadu has been demoted from rank of Assistant Inspector General of police (AIG) to Deputy Commissioner of police.

His new position is two ranks below the rank he held when he was posted out of the agency to National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS).

His demotion comes at the time when anti-corruption commission was prosecuting seven state governors from last administration before he was removed and sent on a one-year policy and strategic studies course at a remote institute in central Nigeria.

The Times of Nigeria reports that Mr Ribadu received accelerated promotions, saying promotion did not suit the rank and file of police, while others complained that promotions were not approved by Police Service Commission (PSC).

Mr Ribadu's removal as head of EFCC was disputed by both local and international investors questioning President Umaru Yar'Adua's commitment to root out corruption in Africa's top oil producer.

Former chief was not the only one affected, but other 139 officials, whose promotions were also questionable, were also demoted by the commission.

A PSC statement said the decision to demote officers came after a meeting of the PSC 12-13 May 2008, though statement was silent as to what led to delay to issue statement months later.

Three senior advocates of Nigeria expressed differing views over the demotion of Mr Nuhu Ribadu, with some saying his demotion would perpetuate corruption while others feel he should be demoted due to improper promotions.

A press statement signed by Chairman of Police Service Commission Parry Osayande, a retired Deputy Inspector General of Police predicated the reversal of promotion of senior police officers to outcome of PSC meeting held in May.

According to the statement, the Commission resolved to uphold rule of law and follow due process, justice and equity in all its dealings and deliberations in line with agenda of Mr Yar'Adua administration.

In 2000, a year after Obasanjo took office, Nigeria came last in Transparency International's index of corruption perceptions. By, 2007 it had risen to 147th place on a list of 179 countries.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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