How Far Can Farida Go?

I know you know the Farida I am talking about. The reigning one. The Madam EFCC who has been enjoying headline news since she stepped into Ribadu's shoes.
One thing for sure is that the exit of Mallam Nuhu Ribadu from the antigraft body's top seat brought all sorts of opinion to the fore, and it is yet to abate.
As Nigerians would want to do about issues we are passionate about, dust was raised and emotion ran very high, because the very popular, dreaded and suave Ribadu was sent on course to Nigeria Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, fashionably tagged NIPSS.
Some emotionally and hilariously called the process; Kurucification of Ribadu. Mischievous headline writers went to town with it. You know NIPSS is located in Kuru,  Jos Plateau State and the whole process was believed to be a way of crucifying the police boss.
Well, the bell of change tolled, and the central point of several arguments is the thinking that with the exit of cat, the mouse can take over, as if to say the highway of the upright which Ribadu was cultivating would be left uncultivated and abandoned for the crooked and corrupt.
That is the major reason, the incumbent Mrs. Farida Waziri is a theatrical spectacle for now. We are watching. Nobody should make hasty comment for now. Let's wait and watch or if you like let's wait and see.
See what? See those who are really behind her? To see if there is any agenda? Is she tool in some unseen hands? To see how far she can go?
Really, I want her to go far, and this much, I told her when I had an opportunity of meeting with her weeks back. I think she has hit it off well. I love her hopeful optimism.
During my encounter I noticed she is self-assured in a way. I love her revolutionary disposition and Marxist rhetorics. Bomb-like and acidic opinion against the corruption ring, those who are holding the country down for selfish gains, that usually drop from her mouth through her lightly coated lipstick lips. She's a beautiful damsel even at her age, 67. She seems poised to open can of warms. I also left the meeting with an impression that she has a quiet authority about her that tend to hang and hover like a haze. She is passionate, but does not raise her voice, rather you feel icicles dripping around her words, as silence follows every statement-ponderously dropping, carefully weighed.
Wait a minute, do not think I am passing favourable comments. I am still waiting and watching; it is rather too early to sing her praises.
Though, the war against corruption seems to have found some spiritual refreshment with her entrance and there are grin of expectations which are beginning to brighten my face, but there are fears, fears we must express. I didn't leave the meeting with her without confronting her with some of my fears.
Fears I called them, they are not unfounded… well these could also be called challenges. The moral laxity among the rank and file of the police officers in EFCC is a factor; Mrs Waziri may need to tackle this for her to be successful.
The corrosive element within are willing tools in the hands of top corrupt Nigerians who are ready to pay their fees. EFCC should be more independent, while she makes use of a EFCC trained officers, not police, in handling high profile cases.
Because law itself is an ass, criminals when aware that they are under investigation would erase all potent evidences against them. EFCC matters are usually criminal and in law all crimes have 16 elements. Prior information from moles in the hills could frustrate her effort and sometimes many of the elements can be erased.
The celebrated case of Tafa Balogun was largely successful because only Ayo Ajala and Ribadu knew Tafa was being investigated… it was a top secret for 18 months.
As a corollary of the above is the need for training and retraining in EFCC. Old woods should be removed, while lawyers criminologists, investigation officers and crack spies should be upgraded. EFCC should be allowed to build her own system so that she does not continue to fight the battle with another institution's troops. It could be disastrous.
But I am aware many in power, either now or before do not want EFCC nor her boss to be too powerful than the establishment or the power that be. It is so sad, virtually everybody in high place has one thing or the other to be afraid of when corruption is mentioned. What lurks behind corruption is not just fear, but appetite enjoyed by those in power.
Another big challenge - there are witty and tricky lawyers behind corrupt officials. To them professional fees is higher than patriotism.  In law, you must be able to prove things beyond reasonable doubt.
I believe that Mrs. Waziri should push very hard for Proceed of Crime Act; it is in operation in the United States. It simply states that; if you know about the proceeds of crime being investigated and you do not open up to appropriate agencies, you're to be arrested for aiding and abetting.
Another  of my fears, which is a moral challenge to Mrs. Farida Waziri is her capacity to go the whole hog. In all fairness, she has cherished idea of honesty and integrity for whatever tempting vanities of life. But fears are being expressed in quarters about those that allegedly brought her in. The talk is on the street that unknown to her she is a tool in the hands of some.
The minister of justice and Attorney General of the federation, Mike Aoondoaka, James Ibori and some prominent Middle Belt sons and daughters are said to have rallied round as a favour for Mrs Waziri. Is that a debt? Can she pay? If yes, how?
Dr. Festus Iyayi, a principled scholar once said, “the same corrupt people fighting corruption are designing the framework to fight it”. Meanwhile EFCC stands to prove critics wrong, by not caring whose ox is gored. Fighting corruption is a big war, and there is no war without its bruises.
While speaking truth to Mrs. Waziri, I am not judging her. Let's wait and see. There are pockets of arrest the battle has been scoring encouraging points, but beyond the emotional hooplas of the media and populace let’s wait and see convictions in the law arena. That should be one of the fundamental measure of how far she can go.
I believe in her, but I do not want this to be like a beautiful bubble, glistering with many colour, but empty-if you try to probe further, it just disappears. Confronting corruption requires great deal of courage and it usually brings fearful consequences. I believe she is aware.
Beyond the daily headline in the news, I have the feelings that she is working quietly behind her desk; she should carry on like a beacon of hope, a gateway to a better future. She should prove to Nigerians and indeed the whole world, like Dr. Dora Akunyili is doing, that the best man for the job is a woman.
Many are watching her steps with a question on their minds: Can her entrance into the EFCC make all the difference? …. And that is why I am asking. How far can Farida go? The answers totally depend on her.