voa标准英语2008-Nigerian Rights Groups Criticize Firing of Forme

Rights groups in Nigeria have criticized the firing of the country's former anti-corruption¹ chief from the police force for alleged² insubordination. They say his dismissal was aimed at punishing a key voice in the fight against corruption in Nigeria.
　

Nuhu Ribadu (file photo)

Campaigners in Nigeria insist Nuhu Ribadu's removal from the anti-corruption job was orchestrated to undermine the investigations³ he began.

President Umaru Yar'Adua took power 18 months ago pledging zero tolerance⁴ for corruption. But the removal of Ribadu prompted anti-graft⁵ organizations to question Mr. Yar'Adua's commitment to fighting graft.

The authorities rejected suggestions that the action was politically motivated.

Police spokesman Suleiman Abba says Ribadu, a deputy police commissioner⁶, was dismissed for "gross indiscipline and insubordination."

"It is obvious that the consequences of serious misconduct by DCP [Deputy Commissioner of Police] Nuhu Ribadu as highlighted, is tantamount to dismissal from service. Refusal to accept posting or report for duty is a very serious misconduct and may lead to dismissal in the armed forces and the police as such action is inimical to national security," he said.

The rights group, the Committee for the Defense⁷ of Human Rights, claims the firing of Ribadu is an indication that the government has caved in to pressure from politicians anxious to stop investigations into their finances. The head of the group, Olasubo Ojo, said Ribadu's dismissal as illegal.

"The constitution is higher than any police regulation," said Ojo. "Under the rule of law fair hearing dictates⁸ that the [police] service commission should hear the other side. Did they ever call the man to come and show why he should not be disciplined?"

Ribadu was first suspended as head of the economic and financial crimes commission in December 2007, two weeks after the arrest on corruption charges of former Delta⁹ state Governor James Ibori, a powerful politician who was known to be close to the president.

Ribadu says he would challenge his formal dismissal in court.

Corruption is viewed as a major problem in oil-rich Nigeria, Africa's most populous¹⁰ nation.

1 corruption   

n.腐败，堕落，贪污

参考例句：

• The people asked the government to hit out against corruption and theft.人民要求政府严惩贪污盗窃。
• The old man reviled against corruption.那老人痛斥了贪污舞弊。

2 alleged   

a.被指控的，嫌疑的

参考例句：

• It was alleged that he had taken bribes while in office. 他被指称在任时收受贿赂。
• alleged irregularities in the election campaign 被指称竞选运动中的不正当行为

3 investigations   

（正式的）调查( investigation的名词复数 )； 侦查； 科学研究； 学术研究

参考例句：

• His investigations were intensive and thorough but revealed nothing. 他进行了深入彻底的调查，但没有发现什么。
• He often sent them out to make investigations. 他常常派他们出去作调查。

4 tolerance   

n.宽容；容忍，忍受；耐药力；公差

参考例句：

• Tolerance is one of his strengths.宽容是他的一个优点。
• Human beings have limited tolerance of noise.人类对噪音的忍耐力有限。

5 graft   

n.移植，嫁接，艰苦工作，贪污；v.移植，嫁接

参考例句：

• I am having a skin graft on my arm soon.我马上就要接受手臂的皮肤移植手术。
• The minister became rich through graft.这位部长透过贪污受贿致富。

6 commissioner   

n.（政府厅、局、处等部门）专员，长官，委员

参考例句：

• The commissioner has issued a warrant for her arrest.专员发出了对她的逮捕令。
• He was tapped for police commissioner.他被任命为警务处长。

7 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。

8 dictates   

n.命令，规定，要求( dictate的名词复数 )v.大声讲或读( dictate的第三人称单数 )；口授；支配；摆布

参考例句：

• Convention dictates that a minister should resign in such a situation. 依照常规部长在这种情况下应该辞职。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• He always follows the dictates of common sense. 他总是按常识行事。 来自《简明英汉词典》

9 delta   

n.（流的）角洲

参考例句：

• He has been to the delta of the Nile.他曾去过尼罗河三角洲。
• The Nile divides at its mouth and forms a delta.尼罗河在河口分岔，形成了一个三角洲。

10 populous   

adj.人口稠密的，人口众多的

参考例句：

• London is the most populous area of Britain.伦敦是英国人口最稠密的地区。
• China is the most populous developing country in the world.中国是世界上人口最多的发展中国家。