The revered Justice Mustapha Akanbi, who died on Sunday in his native Kwara State, has been described as an incorrigible and incorruptible jurist. He was so described by former Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and eminent lawyer cum activist Ebun-olu Adegboruwa.

According to Tinubu in a statement issued Sunday night by his Media Office, “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.

“It is painful that his transition comes at a time when President Muhammadu Buhari has put the fight against corruption ‎at the front burner.

“His Lordship’s experience as a judge with a clean record had been quite useful for the country’s fight against corruption.

“The legal profession, which he served all his life, will miss him. 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 Firdaus.”

On his part, Adegboruwa said in a statement also issued last night: “The death of Hon Jus 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.”

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