Nigeria: How Ribadu Lost Out in Police Promotions

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This Day (Lagos)

7 September 2008
Posted to the web 7 September 2008

Paul Ibe
Abuja

Former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu's name was not on the list of recently promoted police officers announced by the Police Service Commission (PSC) on Friday because the Police Headquarters did not forward his name to the commission for consideration.

It was further gathered that Ribadu's name was not forwarded for consideration because the former EFCC boss is number 72 on the list of Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs) as at the time of Friday's elevation of 13 officers to the rank of CP. What this means in effect, is that he is now number 59 on the seniority list of DCPs.

A PSC source said the list of officers for consideration to the next rank was forwarded to the PSC by the Force Headquarters two weeks ago. The list included five officers who failed the promotional examination three months ago. In line with the Police guideline on promotion of officers, prospective officers for promotion are allowed two attempts to pass the promotional exams failing which they are given the boot.

"For Ribadu and others who were neither promoted nor considered for promotion, it is not yet their turn. Promotion in the Force is based on seniority. In the case of Ribadu, for example, he had to jump 2,000 places as DCP to the rank of AIG," the source said, adding "this time around we wanted to return promotion in the force to what it was to maintain the discipline and cohesion in the Nigeria Police Force."

The source said that Ribadu's case had generated controversy perhaps because of the high profile position he had occupied at the EFCC. But the source was quick to point out that the process was compromised in the his earlier elevation. He pointed out that the former EFCC Chairman was promoted from DCP to CP within 14 months and then elevated to AIG after four months of being CP. For this to be made possible, the source said that Ribadu had to jump 2,000 places to be promoted. As at the time he was promoted to AIG, he was said to be number 79 on the seniority list of DCPs.

It is, however, not certain whether Ribadu and others may get their opportunity of being considered for promotion on seniority and availability of vacancies.

"We do not promote for the sake of promotion. The number one criteria for promotion is seniority. The second is vacancies. When these conditions are met, the police high command will forward a list along with the files of the prospective officers for promotion to the PSC for consideration. When we receive the list, we then invite the officers for promotional interview. If they pass the interview, they are promoted, but if they fail, they are then given a second chance. If they still fail to make it after the second attempt, they are recommended for sack from the Force," the source said.

He said contrary to the belief in some quarters, Ribadu was actually recommended for participation at the NIPSS course by former Inspector General of Police, Mr. Sunday Ehindero. He said when the Obasanjo administration, which was favourable to Ribadu's promotion as a prelude to preparing him for bigger challenges in the Force realised that the process had been skewed in Ribadu's favour, it was then decided that the former EFCC boss be sent on course to NIPSS.

"It was this course that will give credibility and legitimacy to his rank of AIG. One of the requirements for promotion to the rank of AIG is that prospective officers for promotion would have attended the War College or NIPSS. And until recently, Ribadu had not attended course in any of these institutions.

"This was the dilemma of the PSC. Do we give credibility to the rank of a police officer that was obtained by a skewed process or do we sanitise the system and ensure that there is a level playing field for all officers aspiring to be promoted," the source added.

And after consideration of the list sent to it from the Force Headquarters two weeks ago, the PSC promoted 13 officers including two that were demoted last month from the rank of DCP to CP; 3 from the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police to Deputy Commissioner of Police; 590 from Suprintendent of Police to Chief Suprintendent of Police; 681 from Deputy Suprintendent of Police to Suprintendent of Police and 1,468 from the rank of Assistant Suprintendent of Police to Deputy Suprintendent of Police.

Only two officers including late Haz Iwendi, former commissioner of police in Kaduna State who died in office from the previous eight demoted in August from the rank of CP to DCP were considered and ratified by the Parry Osayande-led CommissionBut for Ribadu who prior to Friday's announcement of the new promotions was number 72 on the seniority list of DCP, the waiting continues.

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