The departed President of the Court of Appeal, and pioneer Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) Justice Mustapha Akanbi, has been described by President Muhammadu Buhari as as a man whose greatest asset in life was his enviable integrity and incorruptibility.
In a condolence message by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, in Abuja on Sunday. Buhari believed that Akanbi would be remembered for his enormous contributions in bringing credibility and respectability to the country’s judiciary.
He was joined by former President Olusegun Obasanjo; President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki; Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed; a National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; Speaker, Kwara State House of Assembly, Dr. Ali Ahmad; a former Minister of National Planning, Prof Abubakar Sulaiman; Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari; an APC chieftain, Alhaji Kawu Baraje; and a member of the National Executive Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Mr. Issa Aremu, among others. on Sunday, to pay glowing tributes to the late judge.
While they all described Akanbi’s death as shocking and devastating, they extolled his sterling virtues as a renowned legal luminary, a highly respected judge who was committed to the rule of law and social justice, as well as a statesman.
Akanbi, who died after a brief illness in the early hours of Sunday, in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, was 85. He was survived by six children and about 20 grandchildren.
This was as the remains of the late Akanbi were after prayers, on Sunday, interred beside his wife’s tomb at his family mausoleum at Agbadam Street, off Ahmadu Bello Way, G.R.A., Ilorin, amid tears and tributes.
The President said: “Being respected by the people for your honesty and patriotism is the best legacy a man can leave behind;’\’ and described his death as a colossal loss not only to the Nigerian judiciary, but the country as a whole.
Accordung to him: “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,’’
He said that Akanbi’s greatest achievement was leaving the public service with his integrity intact and untainted; noting that throughout his distinguished career in the judiciary and public service, Akanbi resisted the defeatist mindset that ‘if you can’t beat them, join them.”
His words: “Great men like Akanbi didn’t believe in joining evil because it was popular or supported by the majority.\”
The President extended heartfelt condolences to Akanbi’s family, the government and people of Kwara State and the entire Ilorin Emirate.
He also prayed that the Almighty Allah would forgive “the gentle soul of the deceased and reward his remarkable good deeds with Aljanna (Paradise).’’
In his own condolence, former President Olusegun Obasanjo described Akanbi\’s life as one of exemplary honesty and integrity, saying that the former anti-graft agency’s boss was one genuine patriot who radiated dominantly within Nigeria\’s national space and beyond.
He said the late justice would be greatly missed.
In his condolence letter written to the eldest child, Akeem in Ilorin, Kwara State, a copy of which was made available to journalists on Sunday in Abeokuta by his media aide, Kehinde Akinyemi, Obasanjo added that the late Justice Akanbi was a distinguished Nigerian, an icon, a paragon of rightness and rectitude, whose life was devoted entirely to the service of his nation.
It read in part: “It is with a grieving heart, but with obedience to the Will of the Almighty that I write to commiserate with you and other members of your family over the painful demise of your loving father, our most revered Hon. Justice Mustapha Adebayo Akanbi.
“News of his death today, Sunday, June 3, 2018, came to me as a jarring shock far away in Dubai. But we mortals can never question the designs of the Almighty Allah.”
Also, Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, expressed grief over the death in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, in Abuja, saying Akanbi’s death was a personal loss.
Describing the late Akanbi as an indefatigable, honest and principled jurist, who upheld the ethics of the judicial process till he breathed his last, Saraki said: “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.”
The Senate President said that the deceased would be remembered for his unquenchable zeal to restore the principles of transparency and accountability in the country through his fight against corruption; noting: “He was an anti-corruption Czar who fought the malaise both when he was in and out of office.
“He never gave up. His untiring zeal to stamp out corruption from all facets of our national life never dimmed.
“He lived what he preached and you could see there was no pretence about him at all.
“He was an incorruptible jurist whose judgements could hardly be faulted while on the bench.
“During his stint as Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), he fought corruption with uncommon passion and courage.
“After leaving office as the ICPC boss, he again joined the Board of the Justice and Law Enforcement Reformation Organisation – a non-profit organisation – to continue his anti-corruption crusade.
“He later established the Mustapha Akanbi Foundation in furtherance of his quest to strengthen the culture of transparency, accountability and good governance in the country.”
He described Akanbi as a true son of Kwara State whose many contributions to the development of his immediate community, state and the country in general, would remain indelible; and commiserated with the immediate family, the government and people of Kwara State.
Saraki urged them to emulate the virtues and values of integrity, selfless service and unparalleled patriotism of the late jurist.
Also, Kwara State Governor Ahmed, in a condolence message by his Chief Press Secretary, Abdulwahab Oba, said, “Justice Akanbi’s years on 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.”
He added, “The demise of our erudite learned father, Justice Mustapha Akanbi, marks the end of a phase in jurisprudence and justice administration in Nigeria.
“He was a rare gem, an epitome of justice and above all a forthright member of the bench. May the Almighty Allah be pleased with him in Aljanah Fridaos.”
Also, All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader, Senator Bola Tinubu, said Akanbi’s experience as a judge with a clean record had been quite useful to the country’s fight against corruption.
In a condolence letter, signed by his Media Officer, Mr Tunde Rahman, on Sunday in Lagos, Tinubu described late Akanbi as an incorruptible judge, who was committed to the rule of law and soal justice; noting that It was painful that his transition came at a time when Buhari had put the fight against corruption at the front burner.
His words: ”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 was a renowned legal luminary, a highly respected judge and an elder statesman. He 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.
”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.
”His lordship’s experience as a judge with a clean record had been quite useful for the country’s fight against corruption. ”
Noting that the legal profession, which late Akanbi served all his life, would miss him, Tinubu said: \”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. May Allah grant his soul Aljanah Fridaus. ”
Kwara State House of Assembly Speaker, Ahmad, in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Shuaib Abdulkadir, lamented that the erudite jurist died at a time his wealth of experience and wisdom were still required, particularly as the nation’s judiciary is passing through a difficult moment.
In a statement by the National Secretary, Shehu Alimi Foundation for Peace and Development, Mallam Abdulazeez Arowona, Emir of Ilorin described late Akanbi as an incorruptible judicial officer, who served the nation without blemish.
“We have lost a rare gem in the Ilorin Emirate and nation at large,” he said.
Baraje described Akanbi as a father to all, a truly incorruptible judge, anti-corruption czar and great philanthropist which, according to him, made him establish his Non-Governmental Organisation, Mustapha Akanbi Foundation to cater for the poor and needy in the society.
Aremu, the NLC NEC member, lauded Akanbi’s “art of generosity and giving to the aged, the sick and people with disabilities” through his foundation.
Also, Governor Henry Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State has commiserated with the governments and people of Adamawa and Kwara states over the demise of the renowned academic and federalist, Dr. Bala Takaya, and anti-corruption czar, Justice Mustapha Akanbi.
Takaya, a one time governorship candidate in Adamawa State was until his passing, the President of Middle Belt Forum. Justice Akanbi was President, Court of Appeal and Chairman of the Independent and Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) .
The Governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Francis Ottah Agbo, described them as great Nigerians who contributed immensely to the development of the country and prayed for the repose of their souls. He praised Takaya for using the Middle-Belt platform to clamour for restructuring, true federalism and champion minority rights in the country.
While stressing that Akanbi was one of the finest justices in Nigeria, Dickson said while on the bench, Akanbi dispensed justice without fear or favour.
“The country has lost two great Nigerians: intrepid patriots who contributed immensely to the development of Nigeria.
“I can not forget in a hurry how Dr. Bala Takaya, as President of Middle-Belt Forum, helped to give voice to minority rights in the country as well as synergizing with like-minds to expand the frontiers of the clamour for restructuring, fiscal federalism, and devolution of power from the centre to the federating units.
“I remember with nostalgia, the passion and panache with which Takaya delivered his address at the South-South restructuring rally in Yenagoa this year. We all miss him.
“Justice Mustapha Akanbi was a courageous judge who used the bench to dispense justice without fear or favour and rose to be President of Court of Appeal. As chairman of ICPC, he fought corruption to a stand still for which we are grateful to him. His death is clearly an irredeemable loss to the country. ”
Also, former Abia State Governor and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Orji Kalu, described Akanbi’s death as a huge loss to the nation.
He stressed that the late jurist was incorruptible, upright and bold in his profession.
According to Kalu, the deceased died at a time Nigeria needed his wise counsel on national issues.
In a statement by his Special Adviser, Kunle Oyewumi, Kalu extolled the virtues of the late Justice saying: “The Nigerian judiciary has lost one of its best.
“Having served in various capacities in the private and public sectors both locally and internationally, Justice Akanbi made remarkable contributions to the legal profession beyond the shores of Nigeria.
“He was a philanthropist and a compassionate community leader. I commiserate with Ilorin Emirate Council, the government and people of Kwara state over the sad loss.”.
The former governor while consoling the Akanbi family, urged them to uphold the good deeds of their patriarch; and prayed for the repose of Justice Akanbi’s soul.
Also, Human rights lawyer, Ebun-olu Adegboruwa, said in a tribute: “The death of Hon Justice Muhammed Akanbi is a great loss to Nigeria, to the judiciary and to the legal profession in general.
“Justice Akanbi was the founding Chairman of the ICPC, which he nurtured and brought to its present enviable position as one of the foremost anti-corruption agencies in Nigeria.
Justice Akanbi is an incorrigible and incorruptible jurist, a family man and a devout Muslim, who brought to bear his knowledge and experience, upon all that he does.
“His son, Prof Akanbi, was my classmate in the university and in the Law school and he eschewed great humility and decorum, even when Justice Akanbi was then the President of the Court of Appeal. It was difficult to differentiate his children from the lot in school. They very very humble and respectful, even till now.
“Nigeria will certainly miss this legal icon. I pray that God will comfort his family and Nigeria at large. Adieu, the true Papa of anti-corruption”.
Akanbi, who died at the age of 86, was laid to rest according to Islamic rites on Sunday in Ilorin, Kwara State.
Born on September 11, 1932, in Accra, Ghana, Akanbi was appointed the ICPC chairman by the then President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2000 and served until 2005.
He obtained a scholarship to study Law at the Institute of Administration, now Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. He then went for further legal studies in the United Kingdom.
He was called to the English Bar in 1963, and was called to the Nigerian Bar in January 1964. He joined the Ministry of Justice and became a Senior State Counsel in 1968.
In 1969, he set up a private practice in Kano. In 1974, he was appointed a judge of the Federal Revenue Court, and in January 1977, he was elevated to the Court of Appeal Bench. In 1992, he was made President of the Court of Appeal, a position he held until retiring in 1999.
