Government moves against Ribadu and El-Rufai

YARADUA NEEDS TO BE TOLD [IN CASE HE DOESNT KNOW] THAT EL RUFAI AND RIBADU WILL DO BETTER FOR THE COUNTRY THAN AONDOKAAN, EGWU, ALIERO AND OTHER CLOWNS CURRENTLY WASTING OUR TIME AND MONEY BASED ON HIS APPOINTING THEM TO PUBLIC OFFICE. LETS CUT THE GRANDSTANDING AND ALLOW THESE GUYS HOME TO WORK FOR US. ALL THESE OBASANJO-ATIKU TYPE QUARRELS HAVE NEVER DONE US ANY GOOD.

These are indeed very worrying times for Nigeria,it will appear that she sits on the precipice of war...all the indices for war seem to be falling in to place. Dear Father, let our work be produced by faith, our labour prompted by love and our endurance;inspired by hope in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ...amen.

with time the spirit of ribadu and rufai that has plague sanusi as bedfellows of confusion will at the make him run abroad on the day of reckoning or doomsday-WATCHOUT TIME WILL TELL

Hmmm... Sounds dictatorial for the FG to request for the isolation of these persons. You would expect a military regime to issue such ultimatum than a democratic elected govt.

If such order was in fact made, of course, i do not want to believe that,it's tantamount to breach of fundamental human right of freedom of movement which is embodied on our constitution. From time to time, our government speaks of rule of law, it will be disappointin to neglect the law while u say it rules. I think there ar other ways to deal with them, if they have committed offences...

I do feel sorry for Ribadu.He does not deserve this. Can't say the same for El Rufai! He has a case to answer at home and he is a master grandstander. He had boasted in the past as soon as he finishes his masters, he will come home and defend himself against the charges.He is innocent until proven guilty Its a lesson for us all, no condition is permanent. El Rufai was part of the team of people that foisted Yar'Adua on us against our will. Who would have thought that the same useless government that he forced on us would deal with him so mercilessly?

you mean the two prospective candidates for presidency.that shows you where we are at.

@paquito bites: to make the road clear for the 3rd... SLS. Keep your eyes wide open

What type of government will deny its citizens passport.It goes to show that YarAdua has bad advisers.

This is the end of the beginning. But why should any one be surprised at the posturing of this ruse of law government when over 700 Nigerians in China have been denied citizenship and some hundreds in Libya have been told they are on their own. By the way when was the last time that this government rose in defense of the rights of the poor and weak in our midst. This is simply a government of the Iboris and by the Iboris and for the Iboris of Nigeria. Our AGF and minister for Justice can travel to London to clear Ibori, but not those over 700 Nigerians in detention camps in China.And now they are denying Mallam Nasiru and Nuhu their citizenship by fiat. How low can we get Mr Yar'Adua.

it is sad that this crop of disaster leadership from the village of katsina is finally being unmasked. My people have a saying that "a wrapper remain unstain for as long as it is not tied to the waist". But he that fail to learn from history......Abacha is a classical example.

What is this country turning into? Is this the rule of law? But i know one thing for sure, THE TIME IS NEAR.

It is the begin of the new Banana republic.

The evil days are back. It is disheartening that our country is once again experiencing the evil perpetuated for several years by military rulers. How can a government that claims to be guided by rule of law deny its citizens their fundamental right of free movement? This is hypocrisy in its height. Posterity would judge.

I think we should channel our energy to something that will uplift the pple of this Nation called Nigeria than this rubbish! THIS IS A COMPLETE LET DOWN! LEAVE THESE MEN ALONE AS THEY HAVE DONE NOTHING TO DESERVE ALL THESE. NIGERIANS ARE HUNGRY.....CANT U SEE?

What does this portend for Nigeria? Does it mean that the present crop of leadership are not amenable to criticism or any form of real or imagined opposition? Leadership is all about tolerance for divergent views and constructive criticism. If they genuinely derived their power from the people then they must be guided by the needs, whims and caprices of the people. Please the governance should dwell more on providing us positive direction and purposeful leadership rather that expend time and resources on quelling opposition and contending views. They would ultimately be made to account for their actions and inactions.

Is anyone surprised? These are the ways and antecedents of our leaders. They lead with impunity and govern like emperors. It is El-Rufai and Ribadu today - gush these men were lords under obasanjo. I am certain it may be the turn of AONDOKAAN and other hitmen of this government tomorrow. No condition is permanent. my only advise is that they should improve the condition of our cells and prisons cause they are potential guests in near future, none excluded.

Ours is a country that hounds her heros and celebrates looters and plunderers of our commonwealth.it is a sad irony that the likes of Ibori, Dariye and similar characters who have brought untold emmbarrassment and humiliation to our dear country are enjoying unfettered freedom while those who served selflessly to win honour and integrity for Nigeria are being persecuted by this shameless government.

You people are coward, why are they running, these are men of yesterday in power today in exile, check out from Iseal to USA, when you finish from your office you are made to explain to your country men and women what you did wrong or good. Look the investigations into FBI/CIA under Bush, has the men involved run, no, why, because their hands are clean. Ribadu and Elrufal are common criminals hence on the run and lost their position to the Nigeria passport. They must come down to their country if they need anything from their country. SAHARA REPORTERS CANNOT CHANGE THIS.

Why r cry woof?Was dis not d kind of treatment Ribadu meted out unda OBJ?Pple were arrested arbitarily,odas houses/land were demolished,sold or seized.Ribadu wetin do d Corrupt Northerners,how many did u arrest n prosecute?

much as i do not condone what is being done to el rufai and ribadu, i say serves them right, most especially ribadu who had the opportunity to bring to the fore the loop holes in our laws concerning prosecution of financial crimes but instead went after the thieves using the same method (mis application/intepretation of the law and flagrant disregard for procedure and rule of law) that is being used against him. as for el rufai my advice is always stand on the part of justice no matter what. the election (which he was a part of) that brought yar'adua was flawed and he knows it and he did not complain then so he shoul not complain now

I'm not HOLDING brief 4 Ibori,South 9jarians open ur eyes,pple from d East r denying their citizenship 2 enable dem hustle w/o stress,why r dis Northerners cryin ova passport?D way dem take xcape out of 9ja make dem use d same way acquire new passport n stop wasting our time by tryin 2 whip up setiments..

This is absolute rubbish...what sort of govt is this? Ribadu nor el rufai do not deserve this treatment by the PDP, it shows corruption will never depart our motherland. The words of Baba Awolowo still lingers on...we will forever remain in darkness.

Serves them right. The kind of attrocities those two committed in Nigeria is out of this world. Those two to a very large extend taught the current rulership how not to be human to the citizenry. Heartless duo.

I d say-serve the duo right,they were strongly vocal and in support of Obj when he declared Atiku's seat vacant without recourse to d constitution,and they are experiencing d same too now,my advice 2 them is just 2 enjoy it while it last.When i was in Ife,Ribadu came and spoke a mess of d anti-corruption by giving us reasons why Bode George and other thief like him should not be arrested and d then SUG President that dare thought otherwise has not recorvered from d repercautions till 2day,Stop bringing up stupid sentiments,abeg talk better thing jare

Is Segun Adeniyi still there in Aso Rock? Please do your Oga a favour: summarize "The 48 Laws of Power" especially the chapter on keeping your enemies close to yourself. Whosoever advised the government to deny a Nigerian citizenship by such crude method to the effect that, "A decision has been reached which has been taken at the highest level that all Nigerian missions are to henceforth deny the duo consular assistance of any form" does not wish Yar'adua, his government, democracy and indeed Nigeria well. How low can a government go to make laws targeted at specific individuals. If that pattern is to be adopted in a country of 150million you can imagine how ridiculous our statute books will be. I hope the President will distant himself from this ridicule if he is to retain some measure of respect of the citizens of Nigeria. No sane country denies her citizens no matter what they have done. That is elementary diplomacy.

If this is true then its a shame

IGbo boy, am sorry but I totally disagree with you. However despite your reservations towards Ribadu & El Rufai, do you actually see them as the most corrupt ex government officers Mr. President should be bothering himself with? Shameful as it is the likes of James Ibori, Peter Odili, Chris Ngige etc moving about freely. As at when I sent this comment, I bet over 200 present top government / elected officers have abused their positions to the point of it affecting millions of Nigerians negatively.

The only beauty to this episode is that we now new pro- democracy activist from the north... Which good, if only Ribadu & El Rufie made effort under Obasajo govt to build strong institution perhaps they wouldn't have been in this situation?

Nigerians, I may not know much, but I know chicken shit from chicken salad. These are not the greatest of men, nor the worst. They served, now they are crusified. They may be wrong on some approaches, after all we accept imperfection as humans. Woodrow Wilson says "If you want to make enemies, try to change something". History does not long entrust the care of freedom to the weak or the timid. I pledge my respect.

WHAT THE GOVT HAS DONE IS DECLARE THESE TWO STATELESS, WHICH MAKES THEM ELIGIBLE FOR REFUGEE STATUS IN MANY FOREIGN COUNTRIES. THE QUESTION IS, WHY DOES THE GOVERNMENT NOT WANT THEM TO RETURN TO NIGERIA?

@RIBADU HARAM You are the Coward and the common criminal for not using a real name. What crime had Ribadu committed, for trying to clean up that rotten Country? If you don’t know, America is a Country of laws and order. Comparing it with Nigeria is like comparing apples and oranges. You need to get a life boy.

THE LATEST DISPLAY OF RESPECT FOR THE RULE OF LAW SHOWS WE ARE AGES FROM DEMOCRACY.CIVIL OR EVIL RULE WE MAY HAVE FOR NOW BUT MARK MY WORDS WE HAVE NOT HEARD THE LAST OF MILITARY RULE.AND WHEN IT COMES IT WOULD BE BLOODY AS EVEN THE DEMOCRACY ACTIVISTS WOULD ALSO BE CONSUMED BY THE AVALANCHE.GOD BLESS NIGERIA.

It is sad that a government can descend so ;ow as to order the none renewal of its citizen's passport. This, in my opinion, resembles anything but a measure that a democratic government can do! It appears that some people are not advising this government aright. Whatever the views or opinions expressed by either El-Rufai or Ribadu or any other person for that matter in foreign land is not enough for a (democratically elested?)government to seek to make the person stateless. I pray that this is not true, but if it is, i pray that Yar'adua reverse this decision propmtly.

Nigeria! may God help us!!!

Whats all these noise about? The Nigerian Passport is the property of The Federal Government of Nigeria and it can be withdrawn at any time especially when one is a fugitive from justice and suspected of carrying out terrorist and subversive activities against the country, as Ribadu an el-Rufai are currently doing. In any case, before they signed for their passports when they were first issued they cannot claim to have read ths caution boldly written on it: "This passport remains the property of the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and may be withdrawn at any time" And for the so-called lawyer, I think he should go read his law books again...

Idama, Go pick up your books. Fugitive means someone who flees from an uncongenial situation; How do you tell a communist? Well, it's someone who reads Marx and Lenin. And how do you tell an anti-Communist? It's someone who understands Marx and Lenin. How do you describe the Nigerian politics? only the politicians can tell. I recommend a book for you: "Jonathan Swift, political writer By James Alan Downie". Babies should stop posting here please!!!

Forget it. They are preparing them for future presidency. This is Nigeria.

i cannot support the non renewal of passports but then shouldnt both of them come home to face whatever charges levelled against them afterall ribadu himself charged certain nigerians before these courts.ribadu and elrufai are cowards of the 1st order.did you ever heard gani going to exile or obj in exile .it is their choice to be labelled ,rightly or wrongly fugitives.

How sad! Those who truly need to be brought to book remain untouched while the government lets loose double barrelled guns at mosquitos! The government does not need anyone to carry out a "continuous and unyielding campaign of calumny"; it seems to be doing a good enough job of running itself down.

those who throw stones in the market places should remember that it might hit their mothers selling things in the same market

Aderogba, you must be an illiterate who reads upside down. and you are not worthy of my time. It is not too late for you though, to go to evening school, since you must work to eat.

John Adams said "I must study politics and war that my sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy". To all those that think El-rufai and Ribadu are failures, your folks must have studied criticism and NTA News. Don't expect to build up the weak by pulling down the strong. If you're replying to this thread, post facts not abusive words, am ready for y'll.

Aderogba, just as you have been indoctrinated by SAHARAREPORTERS and NEXT by their cocktail of lies and manufactured facts.

Leave Yar'adua alone, He is absent minded already he is not incharge of anything. Nigeria is yet to know who the Presiding President is. PITY. 49 YEAR OLD.

How many legs does a dog have if you call the tail a leg? Four. Calling a tail a leg doesn't make it a leg. Wake up to reality Critics, "Only a tree that bears fruit people stone at". Let me school y'll on your negative thoughts: Let us have faith that right makes might and in that faith let us; to the end, dare to do our duty as we understand it. Not to be a prisoner of damaging mis-conception by our expression of wits. Two men with courage in Nigeria makes a majority.

SHOUOLD WE CALL THE MILITARY FOR A VERY BRIEF PERIOD? WHAT DO YOU ALL THINK?

Nig @ 49 still useless. President Y'dua where r u. I see that our president is gbewudani, aburo hanger. Why should I come back to naija???

The present governments naivity and lack of regards to the fundamental rights of Nigerians irrespective of whatever signifies a returne to the military days. This is real demo-crazy. Demo de craze.

Hang on Ribadu and El-Rufa'i, I can see the shadow of death hovering over your tormentor.

Bill Clinton went to South Korea to rescue two American citzens. Yar'Adua denies his own citizens what is rightfully theirs...

NEXT, u are unfair to me...........WHY ARE MY POST NOT PRESENTED? BIAS GUYS

The comments show how sentimental and narrow minded we are as nigerians. This article tells us a simple fact,ribadu and el rufai are being denied passports and what we are supposed to say is if it is right,legal and unconstitutional? Instead we chose to inult el rufai and ribadu and say they deserv it?? How sill and petty can we get in this country?Is it only if mother theresa gets mistreated then we can say it is bad? Do we uderstand the conept of fair hearing and human rights at all?It is not meant for one person in a certain times but for ALL PERSONS at ALL TIMES!

@Toye. DON'T YOU DARE, I REPEAT DON'T YOU DARE SUGGEST THAT WE CALL THE MILITARY BACK. THAT IS BALDERDASH AND RUBBISH. AS BAD AS THINGS MAY SEEM NOW, WE ARE STILL MUCH BETTER OF THAN WE WILL EVER BE UNDER A MILITARY GOVT. MILITARY GOVTS ARE ANACHRONISMS IN TODAY'S WORLD. WHAT WE ARE GOING THROUGH NOW IS SOMETHING THAT WE SHOULD HAVE GONE THROUGH LONG AGO SO THAT OUR DEMOCRACY WOULD HAVE EVOLVED INTO SOMETHING MUCH MORE IN TUNE WITH DEMOCRATIC TENETS THE WORLD OVER. I WILL GIVE YOU TWO EXAMPLES IN OUR HISTORY. HAD NZEOGWU NOT COME IN IN 66' AND LEFT THE POLITICIANS TO THEIR DEVICES THEN(YES DESPITE THE HEATED POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT), OUR 1ST REPUBLIC POLITICIANS WOULD HAVE EVENTUALLY LEARNT TO WORK THINGS OUT AMONGST THEMSELVES AND OUR DEMOCRACY WOULD HAVE GROWN TO THE LEVEL OF MATURITY THAT WOULD HAVE LED US TO MAKE GREAT STRIDES IN TERMS OF DEVELOPMENT AND PROGRESS. SECOND EXAMPLE, HAD THE MILITARY LEFT SHAGARI'S GOVT IN POWER, THE 2ND REPUBLIC POLITICIANS WOULD HAVE ALSO LEARNT TO EVOLVE A POLITICAL CULTURE OF COMPROMISE AND EVENTUALLY WORKING FOR THE COMMON GOOD. DEMOCRACY IS A PROCESS WHICH YOU NEED TO GIVE TIME TO GET BETTER. YOU HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE 'GROWING PAINS' PROCESS. PART OF OUR PROBLEM IS THAT WE HAVEN'T LET THIS 'GROWING PAINS' PERIOD PLAY OUT IN OUR NATIONAL POLITICAL LIFE. AS BAD AS THINGS MAY BE WE NEED TO LET THIS PERIOD PLAY OUT. THINGS WILL GET BETTER AND THE PROCESS WILL REFINE ITSELF. CASE IN POINT, DESPITE ALL THAT AILS US, IT WAS THE NIGERIAN PEOPLE WHO DEFEATED OBJ'S 3RD TERM AGENDA. THAT IS THE POWER OF DEMOCRACY. LOOK AT WHAT SOME GOVERNORS HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO: FASHOLA IS TRYING IN LAGOS AND EVEN DONALD DUKE DID SOME POSITIVE THINGS IN CROSS RIVER WHEN HE WAS IN POWER. THERE WILL BE SOME OTHER GOVS WHO ARE TRYING TO MAKE STRIDES IN NIGERIA BECAUSE THEY WANT TO BE SEEN AS AN ACTION GOVERNOR LIKE FASHOLA. THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU LET DEMOCRACY TAKE ROOT; SOME GOVS(AND OTHER OFFICIALS) WILL EVENTUALLY WANT TO EXCEL. WHEN WE HAVE ENOUGH OF THIS GOING ON, WE CAN HAVE THE CHAIN REACTION EFFECT THAT WILL LEAD US TOWARDS PROGRESS FOR ALL. JUST AS AN ASIDE I URGE YOU TO STUDY OTHER WORLD AREAS, PARTICULARLY INDIA AND PAKISTAN. THE INDIANS, AND THEIR POLITICS HAS BEEN VERY CHAOTIC SINCE 47', NEVER LET THE MILITARY IN POWER. THEIR DEMOCRACY EVENTUALLY LED TO WHERE THEY ARE NOW AS AN EMERGENT WORLD POWER. JUXTAPOSE THEM AGAINST THEIR PAKISTANI COUNTERPARTS, WHO HAVE BEEN RULED MUCH MORE BY THE MILITARY AND CONTINUE TO BE MIRED IN MUCH MORE DEVELOPMENTAL CHALLENGES AND WORSE ECONOMIC PROGRESS. SO, JUST TO BE CLEAR, NO MORE MILITARY AND NOT EVEN A SUGGESTION OF MILITARY. I TRY TO BE RESPECTFUL OF OTHERS POINT OF VIEWS, BUT PLEASE YOU AND OTHERS SHOULD NOT MAKE RETROGRESSIVE STATEMENTS THAT WILL MAKE SOMEONE WANT TO CURSE YOU AND HEAP ABUSES ON YOU. AS FAR AS NIGERIA IS CONCERNED, WE HAVE TO THINK BOTH SHORT AND LONG TERM SURVIVAL.

As for Ribadu and El Rufai, their time, as well as that of the progressive movement will come. It is when the perpetrators of evil are scared that they revert to such draconian methods. Their reign of mis governance cannot last forever.

I'm in China as a foriegn student. Thousands f naija guyz r in prison here some have been in for yrs . Mr AGF wats dat his name Aoondoo sometin vnt fly in here but he can fly in for Ibori dat he n his wife hav been convicted b4 in England! D most annoying thing is that the Government is still awarding Chinese Governmnt Company Contracts nd dey killing us! D people dat broke iMmigration rules r dying with d 1z dat did fraud or Rape or stole! Its Crazy !!!!!! Now i guess Obasanjo was Better!

It is for just lack of better things to do for our president. I just pity this country called Nigeria. I beleive there are more problems in this country outside Ribadu and ElRufai. Meanwhile, the duo also contributed to the current mess we found ourself having allowed themselves to be used by OBJ. May God forgive them, and then may Yaradua forgive them.

There is a saying in Yoruba "anroju je eko obun, obun tun nda eko re kere" Translate "we are grudginly buying from a dirty food vendor who inturn decides to increase the price". Most Nigerians abroad and those that have travelled abroad and needed consular help never get any in any case. The embassies to the best of my knowledge are only useful to those in power and their folks. El Rufai and Ribadu will get more help from government of decent countries world over. The directives has actually opened more doors.

THE ONLY WAY FORWARD FOR THIS DOOMED STATE CALLED NIGERIA IS POWER REHABILITATION.. THIS IS EASY TO EXPLAIN.. LETS BE BARBARIC FOR ONCE.. WHERE GOOD FAILS TO WORK, YOU HAVE NO OTHER OPTION BUT TO TURN TO EVIL.. SOME COUNTRIES HAVE APPLIED THIS ACT, AND IT WORKED FINE FOR THEM.. SO WHY NOT FOR NIGERIA. ONE WAY OR THE OTHER, LETS GET PRESENT AND PAST RULERS TOGETHER, AND SLAUGHTER THEM ALL.. NO EXCEPTION, THIS SHOULD INCLUDE THOSE OUTSIDE, CRIMINALS LIKE RIBADU AND EL-RUFIA, THE CASE OF THIS TWO IS A SIMPLE ONE.. CATCH THIEVES AS LONG AS THEY ARE NOT YOUR BROTHERS.. IT'S HIGH TIME WE TURN NIGERIA TO A BLOOD SLIPPERY COUNTRY FOR A WHILE, AND SEE IF ANYBODY WILL RULE.. LONG LIVE LIBERIA.. NIGERIANS LEARN FROM THEIR WOUNDS AND CRIES..

We need nothing but more steadfast prayers.I regret voting for Yar Adua.

@Idama, I think you should go read your law books... if ever you know how one looks! To say that the passport remains the property of the FederalGovernment does not mean that it should be withdrawn arbitrarily.. for the Constitution of Nigeria is supreme and any law that is in conflict with any of its provisions remain void ab intio... ask the Lawyers the Constitution says a person is presumed innocent until proven otherwise by a coutr of law.. so which court convicted elrufai or ribado? I think you need a lesson in english language and some basics in law...and ibori be man enough to stop using aliases for we know who yu are and Nigerians know that you are nothing but a common criminal...z

the seizure of EL- rufai only revealed that our government in nigeria is hypocrate, because the the rule of law is a major mantra of our present pseudo-movement gorvenrment , and its the same government that is grossly violating the law. Infact,Yaradua need to be hanged for vioating nigeria constitution, because is an offence against state.

Okon, i do not see them as the most corrupt officials Nigeria has ever produced, far from that but the level of abuse and disregard of power dished out by those two to fellow Nigerians is nothing to write home about. I think they simply lost it or rather was out of control. I followed most of the highly classified casses handled by those two as reported by the Nigerian media and i still think their level of implementation and conducts is out of order.

He who sows the wind shall reap the whirlwind. Yar'adua is a child of the machinations of Obasanjo with the active connivance of Nuhu Ribadu and El-Rufai. They sold his candidacy to all who cared to listen. They succeeded in enthroning a taciturn yet ferocious individual as President who only acts according to the biddings of his Wife and a few handlers in his kitchen cabinet. Its payback time for them. I wonder why Nigerians are sympathising with them. Yar'adua is only observing one of the 48 laws of power.

It is party time. Lets play Fela music for them. Whatever that has a begining must surely have an end. This period will surely pass away.Nigeria is in for a good time.Money has a wing. Power of money will fail them all. We have prayed enough. God please save your darling baby Nigeria from this evil click. They are not more than 5,000 holding Nigeria to ransome. Ribadu and El-Rufai should be bold enough to tell us the truth. What went wrong? Jesus christ told us through the book of life(BIBLE), you shall know the truth,and the truth will make you free.

@Dare Nigeria. You dare to come here on cyberspace to throw wild and unfounded allegations about Nuhu Ribadu conniving with El Rufai and Obasanjo to foist UMYA on Nigerians. Let me ask you, what are your facts? Why do we always revel in propagating intellectually reductionist opinions we read in toilet newspapers like The Sun and Daily Independent?...