Ribadu shuns tribunal,faces arrest

[AISAGBON OMOGIADE]

Ribadu shuns tribunal, faces arrest
Lanre Adewole, Abuja - NIGERIAN TRIBUNE

The Code of Conduct Tribunal sitting in Abuja on Wednesday said that it would order the arrest of former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, if he failed to appear before it on March 9.


Ribadu shunned the summons of the tribunal on Wednesday, thereby stalling the commencement of his trial over an alleged failure to declare his assets while in office as prescribed by the Public Officers Code.


His counsel, Femi Falana, however, told the court that the accused did not show up because of threats to his safety. The laws setting up the tribunal require the presence of an accused before his/her trial could go on.


Falana added that Ribadu filled and submitted the forms declaring his assets, noting that the accused would be challenging the power of the tribunal to try him.


According to him, “even though the accused has not been served a summons personally, he is willing to appear before the tribunal; the court, however, has to guarantee his protection and a formal order of protection should be made by the complainant,”


Presiding judge, Justice Constance Momoh, said no accused person would be harassed. “If a person is appearing as an accused or a witness, he should be rest assured that he would get the utmost protection.


“However if anyone is after his life, they should desist so we can carry on with this case,” she said.