Front Line is deeply concerned following the arbitrary detention of human rights defender Ibrahim Magu and the harassment of Mallam Nuhu Ribadu. Ibrahim Magu is a former official of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Mallam Nuhu Ribadu is the former Chairperson of the Commission, a government agency which investigates and prosecutes cases of corruption in Nigeria.

Further Information

Posted 29/08/2008 On 5 August 2008, Ibrahim Magu was arrested in connection with documents in his possession which it is believed may be related to the EFCC's investigations into corruption at various levels of government. Ibrahim Magu remains in detention and no charges are known to have been brought against him.

Also on 5 August, the demotion of Mallam Nuhu Ribadu from Assistant Inspector-General of Police to Deputy Commissioner of Police was announced by the Police Service Commission. Mallam Nuhu Ribadu had been sent to the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies on a mandatory training course when it was announced that he had been replaced as Assistant Inspector-General. He was a Deputy Commissioner of Police when he became EFCC chairperson in 2003 and had been promoted to Assistant Inspector-General in 2007. Mallam Nuhu Ribadu believes he may face arrest upon his return from the training course as a result of investigations into government corruption.

Front Line believes that the arrest and continued detention of Ibrahim Magu and the demotion of Mallam Nuhu Ribadu are directly related to their activities in defence of human rights, particularly through their work in the investigation into government corruption. Front Line expresses its concern for the physical and psychological integrity of both men.