I’ve never intervened for suspects before EFCC since its creation – Emir of Ilorin

The Emir of Ilorin and Chairman Kwara State Council of Chiefs, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, on Friday, said that he has never approached the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to plead on behalf of anyone who violates the law since its establishment about 22 years ago.

The traditional ruler stated this when he received the Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, who paid him a visit in his palace in Ilorin, Kwara State capital.

The Emir said  since the establishment of the anti-graft agency, he has never pleaded on behalf of anyone who has violated the law of the land, saying, “This is because I cannot say the government is wrong for doing the right thing in the society.

“Ilorin Emirate is peaceful, and you will discover that most people who carry out criminal acts are always outsiders, and unfortunately, the people of Ilorin always end up being their landlords. Ilorin Emirate is the gateway between the North and the South and I am the gatekeeper.”

He also chronicled some of his experiences while in the civil service as the acting Director of Public Prosecution in the old Gongola State, stressing that a leader should not commit mistakes that are significant in the course of carrying out his or her duties.

He advised Olukoyede to remain focused and uphold the rule of law in the discharge of his duties as he promised during his screening at the Senate and prayed for his success in office.

The Emir assured the management of the  commission of his support towards achieving its core mandates of fighting crimes and criminality in the state.

He assured all that with him on the throne as the Emir of Ilorin, he will ensure that the commission continues to wax stronger by carrying out its responsibilities to the nation in a peaceful and conducive environment.

Earlier in his remarks, Olukoyede thanked the Emir for supporting and encouraging the agencies to carry out their duties without fear in the state, stating that much has been said about the first-class monarch to his satisfaction.

The EFCC boss confirmed that before his appointment as the EFCC boss, “President Tinubu told me that this appointment that I was about to take is one of the riskiest jobs that anybody can take, but I replied to him that it won’t be hard because I’m going to be guided by the rule of law and 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 boss also narrated his experience while defending a case before the Emir when he was the Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal before his ascension to the throne almost three decades ago.

“Your Royal Highness, I have known you before now as someone who is courageous and always stand by the rule of law. I am happy to be here today, to seek your royal blessing and thank you for what you have been doing for our personnel at the Ilorin Zonal Command. We shall soon commission our office here in Ilorin and I want to personally request that you grace the event,” he added.

EFCC boss was accompanied by the Commander of the Ilorin Zonal officw, Mr. Michael Nzekwe, and other top officials of the commission.

(Punch)

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