Justice Mustapha Akanbi [1932-2018]
One of Nigeria’s top jurists and one of our just, forthright and pious men Justice Muhammad Mustapha Adebayo Akanbi died in his hometown, Ilorin on Sunday last week, June 3. A retired President of the Court of Appeal, Akanbi was also the pioneer Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC.
Born on September 11, 1932 in Accra, Ghana, Akanbi spent his first 20 years in Ghana where he did his primary and secondary school education. He worked as an Executive officer in the Ghana Civil Service and was also active as a trade unionist. He later returned to Nigeria and worked in the School Broadcasting Department of the Ministry of Education. Akanbi then obtained a scholarship to study law at the Institute of Administration, now Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, followed by legal studies in the United Kingdom. He was called to the English Bar in 1963 and the Nigerian Bar in January 1964. He started his career at the Ministry of Justice and became a Senior State Counsel in 1968 prior to his setting up private practice in Kano in 1969. Akanbi was appointed Judge of the Federal Revenue Court (now known as the Federal High Court) in 1974 and was elevated to the Court of Appeal in January 1977.
He became President Court of Appeal in September 1992, the month he clocked 60 years, a post he held until he voluntarily retired from the bench in January 1999 before reaching the retirement age of 70 years. During his long judicial career, he also undertook many special assignments, such as heading the Akanbi panel that investigated the nation-wide student riots of 1986.
The late Akanbi brought his wealth of experience to bear on the war against corruption and bad governance and his contributions through selfless service to humanity are hallmarks of service to the nation. During his tenure, many cases were handled against highly-placed Nigerians such as the former President of the Senate, Adolphus Wabara, three other senators and two Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN), a Commissioner in INEC and many others who were indicted for various corrupt practices. Also for displaying a distinguished career as a forthright and incorruptible judicial officer and bringing credibility and respectability to the country’s judiciary, President Obasanjo offered him a second term at ICPC, an offer he declined.
Upon retirement, Justice Akanbi set up the Mustapha Akanbi Foundation (MAF) and later Ma’assalam Islamic Foundation (MIF) in his Ilorin hometown, commissioned a private library, Mustapha Akanbi Library and Resource Centre, and equally set up an Islamic school, primary and secondary schools through which he continued to propagate his humanitarian services. The late eminent jurist continued to organize periodic lectures, symposia and by the use of handbills to educate members of the public on the evils associated with corruption and bad governance.
For someone who was fearless, courageous and spoke truth to power during his lifetime, Emir of Ilorin Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu Gambari conferred on him the prestigious chieftaincy title of Wakili of Ilory, in recognition of his zeal to restore the principles of transparency and accountability in Nigeria through his fight against corruption.
President Muhammadu Buhari, in his condolence message, hailed the late jurist and said he would be remembered for his positive contributions and would be remembered in noble terms and that Nigeria would continue to be inspired by his ideals and values and also for laying the foundations of Nigeria’s anti-graft institutional framework.
He said “The legacy Justice Akanbi has left behind for Nigeria in general and for the legal profession in particular is one that will continue to inspire us all for years to come. It is indeed by appreciating those attributes that we are consoled at his departure at this time, at the blessed age of 85 years.”
Justice Mustapha Akandi lived a fulfilled and pious life. May Allah reward him with Aljannat Firdaus.