The Progressive Peoples Alliance has condemned Federal Government’s decision to drop charges filed against the former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, at the Code of Conduct Tribunal.



The CCT had on Wednesday struck out the criminal charges of non-declaration of assets against Ribadu. The tribunal also vacated the bench warrant it earlier issued for his arrest.



But the PPA‘s Director of Strategy and Youth Mobilisation, Mr Ken Nze, told the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja on Friday that dropping the charges was ”unhealthy for the nation‘s democracy.”



Nze said, ”I don‘t think it is the right thing to do. When someone has some charges against him, let it be carried out accordingly and not dropped along the line for reasons that are not comprehensive.”



He wondered why the government should drop the charges, saying the action was one-sided. ”The action is not in the best interest of the nation,” he said.



The PPA director called on the Senate Committee on Security, the Nigerian Bar Association and the State Security Services to re-examine the action ”with a firm and fair mind.”



The decision of the CCT to strike out the criminal charges filed against Ribadu followed the Federal Government‘s decision to withdraw the charges brought against the former EFCC boss.



Striking out the case, The Chairman of the CCT, Justice Muntala Adebayo, said Section 174 of the 1999 Constitution empowered the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation to prosecute, relax or withdraw criminal charges against individuals.