Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja; Layi Olanrewaju, Ilorin

Pioneer chairman of the lndependent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission (lCPC) and first Wakilin Ilorin, Justice Mustapha Akanbi, is dead.
He died in the early hours of yesterday, at 85, and was buried, same day, in Ilorin.

The late Justice Akanbi’s son, Professor  Mohammad,  confirmed his death and his remains was interred at his Ilorin GRA residence at 2.30pm, yesterday.

Chief Imam of Ilorin, Sheikh Mohammed Bashir led the Janazah prayer which preceded the internment.

Kwara State Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed, led dignitaries to the burial.
In a brief prayer after the burial rites, Chief Imam of Balogun Fulani, Sheikh Mohammed Salihu, prayed Allah to receive Justice Akanbi as His true servant.

He expressed delight that the late jurist led a virtuous and righteous life, urging Nigerian leaders across board to emulate his simple life style and exemplary conduct “ through which he impacted positively on the lives of numerous people.

Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has described Akanbi  as a man whose greatest asset in life was his enviable integrity and incorruptibility.

In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, Buhari said Akanbi will be long remembered for his enormous contributions in bringing credibility and respectability to the country’s judiciary.

“Being respected by the people for your honesty and patriotism is the best legacy a man can leave behind.

“In a country where corruption is perceived as fashionable, Akanbi stood out as a remarkable man who put personal integrity and selflessness before the desire for money outside his legitimate income.”

On his part, Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, in Abuja, yesterday, described the late Akanbi as “an indefatigable, honest and principled  jurist who upheld the fine ethics of the judicial process till he breathed his last. I am sad that Baba (Akanbi) has left us. He was fearless, courageous and spoke truth to power during his lifetime.

“He was like a father to me. His death is a personal loss. Kwara state will miss him. Nigeria will miss him,” he said.

In his tribute, governor, Ahmed said the state and indeed, Nigeria, has lost a rare gem, philanthropist and revivalist.

“Justice Akanbi’s years in the bench as an incorruptible judge, his stint at ICPC, struggle for good governance and involvement in community services would remain indelible in the history of Nigeria”, Ahmed said.

In his own message, Emir of Ilorin and Chairman Kwara State Traditional Council, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, expressed sadness over Justice Akanbi’s death.

In a condolence message signed by the National Secretary of Shehu Alimi Foundation for Peace and Development, Mallam Abdulazeez Arowona, the emir described the late Akanbi as an incorruptible judicial officer who served the nation without blemish.

He also recalled that the late jurist was instrumental to the mentorship of many legal practitioners both in the bar and on the bench through his unique and sterling qualities of equity, fairness and justice to all.

Dignitaries who thronged Ilorin to pay their last respects to Akanbi were a retired Appeal Court President, Justice Ayo Salami, pioneer Grand Kadi of Kwara State, Justice AbdulKadir Orire, Kwara state’s Chief Judge, Justice Sulyman Kawu,Mallam Yusuf Ali (SAN), Adelodun Salman(SAN),Kehinde Elena(SAN),Saka Isau (SAN)and state’s  Grand Kadi, Justice Ola AbdulKadir.

Others included former Grand Khadis in the state, Imam Oba Fulani, AbdilMutalib Ambali and Solihu Mohammed, National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, Bolaji Abdullahi, Registrar of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, Vice Chancellors of the universities of Ilorin, Kwara State University, Malete, Al- Hikmah university; Professors Sulymam AbdulKareem, AbdulRasheed Na’ Allah and Ibrahim Taofik, respectively.

Also in attendance were former Kwara chief judge, Justice Raliat Elelu-Habeeb, Rector, Kwara state Polytechnic, Ilorin, Mas’ud Elelu, former minister of Transport, Bio Ibrahim, former speaker, Kwara House of Assembly, Babatunde Mohammed, members of the State Executive Council and prominent Islamic scholars from far and near.