Emir of Ilorin
Emir of Ilorin says he doesn’t intervene in EFCC issues. Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, Emir of Ilorin and Chairman of the Kwara State Council of Chiefs, stated on Friday that he has never approached the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to plead on behalf of anyone who has broken the law since its inception about 22 years ago.
This was disclosed by the traditional ruler when he received the Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, who paid him a visit in his palace in Ilorin, the capital of Kwara State.
“This is because I cannot say the government is wrong for doing the right thing in society,” the Emir stated, explaining why he has never advocated on behalf of anyone who has violated the law of the land since the founding of the anti-graft agency.
“Ilorin Emirate is peaceful, and you will discover that most criminals are always outsiders, and unfortunately, the people of Ilorin are always their landlords.” Ilorin Emirate serves as a crossing point between the North and the South, and I am the gatekeeper.”
He also recounted some of his experiences as the acting Director of Public Prosecution in the old Gongola State, emphasizing that a leader should not make significant mistakes while carrying out his or her duties.
He instructed Olukoyede to stay focused and defend the rule of law in carrying out his duties, as he vowed during his Senate screening, and prayed for his success.
The Emir promised the commission’s management of his assistance in carrying out its key mandates of combating crime and criminality in the state.
He promised everyone that as Emir of Ilorin, he will guarantee that the commission grows stronger by carrying out its responsibilities to the nation in a peaceful and conducive atmosphere.
Earlier in his remarks, Olukoyede commended the Emir for his support and encouragement of the agencies in the state to carry out their jobs without fear, noting that much has been spoken about the first-class monarch to his pleasure.
“President Tinubu told me that this appointment that I was about to take is one of the riskiest jobs that anybody can take,” the EFCC boss confirmed, “but I replied to him that it won’t be hard because I’m going to be guided by the rule of law and the ethics of the profession.”
“I said to the entire nation during my screening at the Senate that I am going to face three-point agenda and I want to assure Your Royal Highness that with these points, EFCC will continue to serve the nation better.”
The EFCC chief also described his experience defending a case before the Emir while he was the Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal.
“Your Royal Highness, I have previously known you as someone who is courageous and always upholds the rule of law.” I am delighted to be here today to seek your royal blessing and to express my gratitude for all you have done for our personnel at the Ilorin Zonal Command. We will shortly open our office in Ilorin, and I would want to personally invite you to attend,” he continued.
Mr. Michael Nzekwe, Commander of the Ilorin Zonal Office, and other key EFCC personnel followed the EFCC boss.