WorldStage Newsonline– Former Lagos State Governor and National leader of the All Progressive Congress, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu described the pioneer chairman of Independence Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) and former President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Mustapha Akanbi who just passed away as one of the few incorruptible judges the nation has ever produced.
In a statement by his media office, Tinubu said the nation “is diminished by the transition of Justice Mustapha Akanbi. His death isn’t just a loss to his family; it is a loss to us all.
He described him as a renowned legal luminary, a highly respected judge and an elder statesman who was committed to the rule of law and social justice.
“Justice Akanbi was one of the few incorruptible judges the nation has ever produced. He epitomises all that is good about the judiciary,” he said.
“On the bench, as President of the Court of Appeal, he distinguished himself and gave the profession a good name.
“As pioneer Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission in 2000, serving till around 2005, Justice Akanbi put in place the structures and laid the foundation for the working of the agency.
“It is painful that his transition comes at a time when President Muhammadu Buhari has put the fight against corruption at the front burner.
“His Lordship’s experience as a judge with a clean record had been quite useful for the country’s fight against corruption.
“The legal profession, which he served all his life, will miss him. Justice Akanbi will be particularly missed by lawyers, judges and other Nigerians whom he inspired through his exemplary leadership style and uprightness.
“I urge us all to seek solace in the fact that he lived a life of probity and was an inspiration to many citizens. My appeal is that we all emulate his sterling qualities.
“I commiserate with the family he left behind. I pray that God grant them the strength to bear this transition.
I also pray that God grants his family and dependants the strength to bear his transition. “
