Nuhu Ribadu did not lie. I did not say that Ribadu lied. It is a concoction of the SUN. It is not my statement. There is nothing in the story to show that I said that Nuhu Ribadu lied. It is a caption that is not borne out of the story at all. Secondly, the writer Ikenna Emewu said that I disagreed with Nuhu Ribadu, Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). That is a lie told by the journalist of the SUN.

Mallam Nuhu Ribadu himself said on Wednesday, 27th September, 2006 in his presentation to the Senate that investigation is still on going with regard to the petitions received by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against the states and their governments. Nuhu Ribadu did not give any Governor any clean bill of health with regards to corruption. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has not absolved any Governor of corruption in all the 36 states of the Federation. Therefore, there is no basis for the SUN journalist to refer to any disagreement between the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Nuhu Ribadu on one hand and myself with Nuhu Ribadu on the other hand.

I reiterate my position with regards to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Nuhu Ribadu as follows:

• As at today, Saturday, September 30, 2006 and since the inception of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) with the leadership of Nuhu Ribadu, I give one hundred percent (100%) support to both the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Nuhu Ribadu, the Chairman of the institution for what they have done. I do not disagree with them and I have never said they lied.

• As long as they stay on course, ruthlessly fighting corruption at all levels, which they are doing, I will continue to support them i.e. the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as an institution and Mallam Nuhu Ribadu as the leader.

• Corruption, which is the most destructive bane of our country today, has to be fought vigorously not minding whose ox is gored. This is a constitutional duty enjoined by Section 15(5) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, which provides that “the State shall abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of power”.

• The mass media – print and electronic owe a constitutional duty to support the battle against corruption in view of the onerous responsibility imposed on them by Section 22 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 which provides as follows:

  “The press, radio, television and other agencies of the mass media shall at all times be free to uphold the fundamental objectives contained in this Chapter and uphold the responsibility and accountability of the Government to the people.”

CHIEF GANI FAWEHINMI LL.D, SAN