Statement
of U.S. Senator Russ Feingold
On the Removal of Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission Chairman
Janaury 7, 2008
Washington D.C. –
Today, U.S. Senator Russ Feingold, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations
Subcommittee on African Affairs, made the following statement in the
wake of the removal of Nuhu Ribadu, Chairman of Nigeria’s Eonomic
and Financial Crimes Commission, from office:
“Despite running on
a platform of “zero tolerance” for corruption and promising
across the board improvements in governance, Nigerian President Umaru
Yar’Adua has already failed to live up to this commitment during
his first eight months in office. The most recent example of President
Yar’Adua’s inconsistencies in combating Nigeria’s
endemic corruption is the removal of Nuhu Ribadu, Chairman of Nigeria’s
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), despite a record of
successful prosecutions. With a number of critical cases underway, the
EFCC should not be gutted. The U.S. government must not coddle leaders
like President Yar’Adua if they demonstrate an inability or unwillingness
to improve democratic infrastructure and defend human rights. The Bush
Administration should make it clear to the Nigerian president that the
U.S. does not support Ribadu’s removal and that, in the interest
of promoting transparency and the rule of law, all existing investigations
and prosecutions should continue to move forward as planned.”
Feingold also wrote to
Nigerian President Umaru Yar’Adua outlining his concerns. His
letter is below.
The Honorable Umaru Yar’Adua
President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
Office of the President
Aso Rock Villa, Asokoro District
Abuja, Nigeria
January 7, 2008
Dear Mr. President,
As the Chairman of the Senate
Africa Subcommittees, I have visited Nigeria and closely follow developments
in your country because I am keenly aware of its strategic significance
to the United States and in Africa. As one of the continent’s
most populous and prosperous countries, Nigeria has long been a role
model in Africa, not least for its return to democracy after sixteen
years of military rule. I was therefore extremely disappointed by the
seriously flawed general elections last April, but was encouraged by
your pledge to improve governance with “zero tolerance”
for corruption.
I was pleased to hear that
while in Washington, D.C., last month, you reiterated your commitment
to transparency, accountability, and rule of law as essential preconditions
for Nigeria’s social and economic development. Unfortunately,
I have not yet seen demonstrable evidence of progress in these areas;
on the contrary, recent events suggest that Nigeria is backsliding under
your leadership.
I am particularly concerned
by the recent announcement that Mr. Nuhu Ribadu, the esteemed Chairman
of Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC),
has elected to step down from his post instead of accepting the reassignment
to the yearlong management training course that was ordered last week.
While ongoing training of government officials is important, mandating
a year-long hiatus for the head of the EFCC while there are several
significant pending anti-corruption cases calls into question the sincerity
of your commitment to this issue. The EFCC has had unprecedented success
in obtaining several high-level corruption convictions, and Mr. Ribadu
has earned national and international acclaim for his leadership over
the past five years.
While I deplore the transfer
of Ribadu and would like to see him finish out the remainder of his
term, if he does elect to step down from his current post, it is essential
that his personal safety and security be guaranteed. In addition, Ribadu’s
departure must not be used as a pretext to disband the EFCC or undermine
its work. The recent charges filed by the Commission, including those
against former Delta State Governor James Ibori, should be fully and
transparently investigated and prosecuted.
You have repeatedly emphasized
the positive impact of good governance on development, but political
and economic gains go hand-in-hand. The legitimacy and credibility of
your government, both at home and abroad, depend upon your consistent
and observable commitment to combating corruption. In light of the recent
upsurge in violence in Nigeria’s Niger Delta region, it is even
more imperative that your government exhibit the highest respect for
rule of law at all levels of society. Failure to follow through on your
policy of “zero tolerance” for corruption will fuel dissent
among the Nigerian population and diminish confidence abroad.
Therefore, I urge you to
do everything in your power to create the appropriate environment for
both political and economic development by strengthening the Economic
and Financial Crimes Commission and empowering Mr. Ribadu, rather than
sidelining him and potentially undermining the EFCC’s important
work. I hope you will take advantage of this opportunity to reaffirm
your personal commitment to democratic principles and practices and
to solidify Nigeria as an example for other young democracies.
Sincerely,
Russell D. Feingold
United States Senator
|
