I'm still "paying dearly" for going into politics - Ex-EFCC boss

Ribadu stated this on Wednesday, July 20, at a national stakeholders’ Workshop on the Recovery and Management of Recovered Assets, where he was keynote speaker.

“Considering the care we took in handling whatever was in our custody, I find it baffling and disheartening when I hear people make insinuations about how we handled recovered assets. It is a most unfair remark but certainly not totally surprising as the fight against corruption is essentially a thankless job, especially in our climes,” he said.

“That was why I was telling Prof Sagay: ‘Don’t bother sir, people will abuse you; don’t say anything. This is the job’. We are hurting people; we are taking things from those who took things and we denied them chance to make use of them and enjoy and with their family."

Speaking further, Ribadu added: “I’m still paying dearly. In my own madness, I decided to go into politics and I am still paying for it. But I am not bothered. I’ll continue fighting till my last breath. If I’m given the opportunity, I’ll do it again.

“We have the most vital tool needed in this war, namely political will. I see in the present leadership, specifically the president, the will to allow the war to be fought without interference and the eagerness to support it in whatever way possible. These two points are important prerequisites in winning the anti-corruption war.

“We are also lucky to have a set of people, including Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), who are very passionate and committed to be in charge of the process.”

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Pulse recalls that the leadership of the Adamawa State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), backed by President Muhammad Buhari, has initiated move to welcome the former EFCC boss back to the party, the idea Ribadu is said to be obliged to.

Some members of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) who defected to the APC were said to have ganged up against Ribadu, forcing him out of the fold.