By Estelle Shirbon
ABUJA, Dec 28 (Reuters) - An apparent move to sideline Nuhu Ribadu, the head of a Nigerian anti-corruption unit which is prosecuting seven former state governors, caused dismay among graft fighters on Friday.
The national chief of police, Mike Okiro, announced on Thursday that Ribadu, a ranking police officer, was being ordered to attend a one-year policy and strategic studies course at a remote institute in central Nigeria.
Nigeria is one of the world's most corrupt countries, according to anti-graft campaigners who say Ribadu's Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has been the most effective tool against corruption since it was launched in 2003.
"If Ribadu's ouster goes forward, the day he leaves office will be the day the credibility of Nigeria's 'war on corruption' is entirely destroyed," said Chris Albin-Lackey, researcher on Nigeria at Human Rights Watch.
President Umaru Yar'Adua, who under the law that created the EFCC has ultimate authority over the unit, has issued no statement so far and his spokesman could not be reached.
Yar'Adua came to power in May pledging zero tolerance for corruption and has made respect for the rule of law his personal mantra. His stance on Ribadu will be closely watched.
Okiro denied that he was caving in to pressure from politicians anxious to stop the EFCC's investigations into their finances. The chief of police said the course was part of normal career development for an officer of Ribadu's rank.
But the move comes just after the EFCC launched its most high-profile prosecution to date -- that of James Ibori, former governor of oil-producing Delta state, who is now in jail awaiting trial on charges that he looted over $85 million.
TEST FOR YAR'ADUA
"It would be naive in the extreme to think that Ribadu's sacking and the decision to prosecute Ibori are not connected," said Albin-Lackey.
The prosecution of Ibori is seen as the first real test of Yar'Adua's anti-corruption credentials because Ibori was one of the main financiers of the president's election campaign. Ibori's arrest on Dec. 12 was a personal victory for Ribadu.
EFCC officials could not immediately be reached for comment.
Under Ribadu's leadership, the EFCC has notched up some unprecedented successes such as the convictions for graft of former chief of police Tafa Balogun and of Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, former governor of oil-producing Bayelsa state.
However, the EFCC has at times been accused of political bias. It was created by former President Olusegun Obasanjo and many critics say that in the build-up to Nigeria's general elections in April 2007, the EFCC interfered in the political process on Obasanjo's orders.
Numerous candidates were disqualified from running for office because of accusations issued against them by the EFCC, none of which were followed up by prosecutions.
Since Obasanjo handed over to Yar'Adua on May 29, Ribadu and the EFCC have regained in credibility by accelerating the pace of prosecutions against powerful former governors. (Editing by Mary Gabriel)
