By Abdullahi Yunusa
Yesterday’s sack of Mrs Farida Waziri as chairman of one of the country’s anti-graft agencies, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) by President Goodluck Jonathan never came as a surprise to many.
To some individuals, it was an action long overdue, considering Farida’s gross inability to sustain the unprecedented achievements recorded by her predecessor, Malam Nuhu Ribadu in stemming the tide of corruption in Nigeria. The action, undoubtedly, has proved right position of many who stated that the shoes of her predecessor’s were obviously too large for the Benue state-born former Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG).
The sack was contained in a statement signed by the Special Adviser on Media to the President; Dr Reuben Abati stated that "the president has approved the appointment of Mr Ibrahim Lamorde as the Acting Chairman/Chief Executive of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
The statement also said, “The appointment takes immediate effect, and effectively relieves Mrs Farida Waziri of her position as EFCC Chairman."
There are however many sides to issues surrounding Mrs Waziri’s sack as head of the EFCC. Pundits have linked it to her recent clampdown on members of the National Assembly, arguing that if not checked, she might touch the “untouchables” in the hallowed chambers of the National Assembly.
With her assumption of duties as head of the EFCC in a rather controversial circumstance in 2008, Nigerians and even members of the international community who were quite pleased with the huge success Nigeria has recorded in her quest to delist itself from the unenviable list of countries where corruption reign supreme saw it as a step in the right direction. To their chagrin, she faltered, fumbled and mumbled in the way and manner she handles several corruption issues brought before the commission.
Mrs. Waziri's tenure at the Commission was marred with series of allegations such as signing letters of pardon for people being investigated by the Agency. Some of her actions have no doubt cast doubt on the ability of this current administration to keep corruption at bare. For instance, she was reported to have signed letters of pardon for former Delta State Governor James Ibori and others, a development many saw as clear deviation from the commission’s mandate.
Noting lack of transparency in her actions as head of the commission especially in handling corruption cases which involved high profile politicians, whistle blowing site, Wikileaks had quoted some U.S.diplomats as saying Mrs Waziri was not prepared for her tasks at the same being controlled by politicians.
In the submission of many, the commission under her watch never displayed much seriousness, vigor and determination in fighting this monster called corruption which has eaten deep into the fabric of the nation.
Many analysts had at different times criticized the manner at which the former EFCC boss discharged her duties while she held sway at the commission. Tops on the list of reasons why many held her by the jugular was the haphazard manner with which the commission filed corruption charges against corrupt persons. There were instances where the commission having raised a number of charges against persons alleged to have being involved in corruption would be later reduced without offering convincing reasons to members of the public.
Current Justice Minister and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Mr Mohammed Bello Adoke had also joined others in picking holes in the activities of the commission.
Mrs Waziri’s inability to take firm position on the myriad of corruption cases involving high profile politicians such as ex-governors, ministers, lawmakers, and other top government functionaries might be responsible for her sack. Such celebrated cases, in the thinking of many have spent years in law courts with no visible sign of ending them thereby allowing those concerned to enjoy their loot.
Many Nigerians have raised concern on the truckload of cases lying before the commission unattended to. In defence of this development, Mrs Waziri had at different times cited delays by courts as reason responsible for that. To ensure speedy dispensation of cases, she had advocated for the setting of special court that would attend to the commission’s cases.
For instance, high profiles cases involving politicians like former governors, Ayo Fayose (Ekiti), Peter Odili (Rivers) Ubong Paul Attah (Akwa-Ibom) Attahiru Bafarawa (Sokoto) Chimaroke Nnamani (Enugu) Prince Abubakar Audu, Plateau state deputy governor, Chief Michael Botmang, Senator Iyabo-Obasanjo Bello, Femi-Fani Kayode, Malam Nasir El-rufai, among others.
Many, said since she took over as head of the EFCC, activities at the agency had being on the downward side, especially if compared to her predecessor’s tenure, Malam Nuhu Ribadu who made the country inhabitable for corrupt individuals.
Her tenure, according to analysts survived largely on the legacy left by its pioneer chairman, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, who against seen and unseen forces, deployed resources at his disposal to free the country from the firm grip of corruption. Ribadu’s years at the commission received huge accolades and supports from both Nigerians and members of the international community who were pleased with his onslaught on corrupt persons within and outside the corridors of power.
He fought corruption to standstill, a development that made him target of corrupt individuals who did everything possible, including lobbying to shelve him aside. That they succeeded, following the resolve of late President Umaru Musa’s decision to sent the anti-corruption czar to the famous National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) Kuru, near Jos, Plateau state.
Sources are however of the view that Waziri’s years of non performance and lack of transparency might be responsible for why countries like the United States of America, Britain, France and other developed countries contributions towards fighting corruption is receding by the day.
She was born on July 7, 1946 and raised in Gboko, Benue State. She obtained her law degree from the University of Lagos and obtained a Masters degree in Law from the Lagos State University. In 1996, she gained a Masters Degree in Strategic Studies from the University of Ibadan.
Enlisted into the Nigeria Police Force in 1965 and rose to the position of Assistant Inspector General of Police, Mrs Waziri held the positions of Assistant Commissioner of Police (Operations), screening and selection, Assistant/Deputy Commissioner of Police Force C.I.D Alagbon, Lagos, Commissioner of Police, General Investigation and Commissioner of Police incharge of X-Squad.
With the commission’s Head of Operations, Mr Ibrahim Lamorde in saddle now as chairman of the agency, expectations are indeed high, especially as it pertains to the speedy dispensation of high profile corruption cases lying before the commission.
To Mr Lamorde, he is not new to the seat, having being there before, though in acting capacity. He has worked closely with the commission’s two chairmen of the commission. The question is; should Nigerians expect anything different? Only time will tell.
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