By Ahmed Idris
President Muhammadu Buhari has paid tribute to the former President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Mustapha Akanbi, describing him as a man whose greatest asset in life was his enviable integrity and incorruptibility.
As the eminent jurist is laid to rest following his demise on Sunday morning in Ilorin, Kwara state, the President said Justice Akanbi would be long remembered for his enormous contributions in bringing credibility and respectability to the country’s judiciary.
He said the death of the pioneer chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) is a colossal loss not only to the Nigerian judiciary, but the country as a whole.
“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,” he said.
The President said Akanbi’s greatest achievement was leaving the public service with his integrity intact and untainted, stressing that throughout his distinguished career in the judiciary and public service, he resisted the defeatist mindset that “if you can’t beat them, join them.”
“Great men like Akanbi didn’t believe in joining evil because it was popular or supported by the majority,” he said.
The President condoled with Akanbi’s family, the government and people of Kwara state and the entire Ilorin Emirate, and prayed that Almighty Allah would forgive the deceased and reward his good deeds with paradise.
