FORMER Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu Friday received his certificate at the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, (NIPSS), Kuru, Plateau state, in a short ceremony.

Ribadu was accompanied by former course mates who returned to the institute to witness the event.

Penultimate weekend, in the presence of his guests and immediate family members, he was forcibly removed by security agents from the formal graduation ceremony.

The actions of the Yar’Adua administration in humiliating him were roundly condemned by Nigerians around the globe.

This has forced the government to distance itself from the ignoble acts of its officials led by the Attorney General of the Federation, Michael Aondoakaa, and the Inspector General of Police, Mike Okiro.

It is noteworthy that Ribadu’s certificate makes no mention of his rank as a police officer. Quoting a source at NIPSS, SaharaReporters said the certificate merely bore his first and last name, "Nuhu Ribadu." This suggests that the certificate was hastily designed for him alone.

SaharaReporters quotes authoritative sources as saying that President Umaru Yar’Adua had directed that Ribadu be humiliated because of what he complained to associates was his discovery that Ribadu tried to cancel his elections at the Court of Appeal, the first stage of the presidential elections petitions tribunal.

In a couple of weeks, the Supreme Court is expected to pronounce the final verdict in the 2007 presidential election case.

Ribadu’s unusual certificate-receiving event Friday was almost marred by heavy rioting a short distance away in the state capital, Jos, over the disputed local government elections.