Resolution on protection of Nuhu Ribadu, former Chair of Nigerian EFCC

Adopted by the 13th International Anti-Corruption Conference in Athens, Greece

01 November 2008

Recognising the importance to a sustainable fight against corruption of the guaranteed freedom for people to raise their voices and speak openly about transparency and integrity without intimidation or reprisal;

Highlighting that freedom of expression is a human right that all of us must be allowed to exercise in our efforts to build transparent and accountable societies;

Noting that the environment in which anti-corruption advocates are working is becoming increasingly hostile and dangerous;

Being deeply concerned at recent reports that Nuhu Ribadu, former Chair of the Nigerian Economic and Financial Crimes Commission - known to many throughout the anti-corruption world and who participated in the 12th IACC held in Guatemala in 2006 -fears for his personal safety as a direct result of having led a series of high-profile anti-corruption investigations during his chairmanship of the EFCC;

The full assembly of the 13th International Anti-Corruption Conference, with over 1300 delegates from 135 countries gathered in Athens from 30 October to 2 November 2008, calls on the Government of Nigeria and on all governments worldwide to ensure the protection of those speaking out against corruption.

The 13th IACC further demands that all governments guarantee the right to freedom of expression as part of efforts to strengthen national integrity systems, and in generating debate on corruption and governance concerns.

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