The Emir of Ilorin and Chairman Kwara State Council of Chiefs, Mai-Martaba Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari CFR, on Friday assured the management of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), of his unwavering support towards achieving its core mandates of fighting crimes and criminality in the state.
The Emir stated this when he received the Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, who paid him homage in his Palace. Alhaji assured that with him on the throne as the Emir of Ilorin, he will ensure that the Commission continue to wax stronger by carrying out its responsibilities to the nation in a peaceful and conducive environment.
The Emir further stressed that 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 that 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 a leader should not commit mistakes that are significant in the course of carrying out his/her duties.
He however advised Mr. Ola 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.
ROYAL NEWS reports that the EFCC boss was accompanied by the Commander of the Ilorin Zonal Command, Mr. Michael Nzekwe, and top management staff of the agency.
Earlier in his remarks, the EFCC boss thanked the Emir for supporting and encouraging the agency’s in carrying out their duties without fear in the state starting that much has been said about the first class monarch to his satisfaction.
Mr. Olukoyede confirmed that before my appointment as the EFCC boss, “President Tinubu told me that this appointment that I was about to take is one of the most riskiest job that anybody can take but I replied 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 without any intimidation or course to affect the operation of any legitimate business, but any business that is operating with proceeds from fraudulent tendencies shall be wind-down, I can assure you of that.”
The EFCC boss also narrated his experience while defending a case before the Emir when he was the the Presiding Justice of 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 being 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.
