Mallam Nuhu Ribadu’s honour is a statement of reverence for his courage and commitment to the fight against corruption in Nigerian, despite obvious risks. Ribadu, was born November 11, 1960. He joined the Nigeria Police as a lawyer in 1984 and rose to become head of the Legal and Prosecution department, Police Headquarters, Abuja. His 18-year service in the Nigeria Police culminated in his appointment as the pioneer Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) by the former President Olusegun Obasanjo government, in 2003.
Mr. Ribadu was nominated for the first-ever Civil Society Anti-Corruption Defender Award for leading a courageous anti-corruption drive in Nigeria as a former Head of EFCC and because of the persecution, harassment and intimidation he endured and suffered in the hands of the Nigerian authorities solely on the ground of his anti-corruption work.
As Chair of EFCC, Mr. Ribadu provided outstanding leadership in fighting corruption at all levels of Nigerian life. He tracked down high and low-level officials. Mr. Ribadu recorded over 300 criminal convictions in 4 years, which included governors; ministers; members of parliament; bankers, and a former Inspector General of Police. He recovered over $5 billion stolen public funds.
