By Ken Afor
Ibrahim Lamorde, a former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has been laid to rest in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city.
The New Diplomat reports that the late EFCC boss was buried on Tuesday, May 28, 2024, following reports of his death on Sunday, May 26.
He died in the North African country of Egypt, where he had traveled for medical treatment.
The funeral service was attended by prominent dignitaries from across the nation who gathered to pay their final respects.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, present at the ceremony, eulogised Lamorde’s life as one defined by integrity, a commitment to justice, and a dedication to accountability.
“Today, we gather not only to bid farewell to a dedicated public servant, but also to reaffirm our commitment to the principles of justice and integrity,” Shettima said in a statement by his spokesman, Stanley Nkwocha.
“As we offer our sincere prayers for the departed soul, let us also renew our resolve to walk the path of righteousness. The fight against corruption is a sacred duty, and it is incumbent upon us to purge our institutions of any traces of graft for the sake of our nation and our future generations.
“The Jana’iza (funeral prayer) reminds us of the ephemeral nature of this world and the certainty of the hereafter. Let us strive to leave behind a legacy of integrity, just as Ibrahim Lamorde dedicated his life to the pursuit of justice and the eradication of financial crimes.
“I call upon all Nigerians, regardless of their political affiliations, to unite in this noble cause. Together, we can build a nation where corruption has no place, and the principles of the Qur’an guide our actions and decisions.”
Shettima, including Governors Babagana Zulum of Borno State, Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State, and AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State were at the burial of the late anti-graft agency boss.
Others were the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu; former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; the Chief Whip of the Senate, Ali Ndume; the Director General of Nigerian Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ahmed Rufai Abubakar; a former Secretary to Government of the Federation, Yayale Ahmed; and a former Governor of Borno State, Ali Modu Sheriff.
The New Diplomat reports that Lamorde was born on December 20, 1962, in Mubi in the old Northern Region of Nigeria. Mubi is now in present day Adamawa State.
Lamorde took a degree in Sociology in 1984, and subsequently enlisted in the Nigeria Police Force in 1986. He enjoyed rapid career progression and retired as a Deputy Inspector General of Police in 2021.
According to his profile on the EFCC website, Lamorde was the third Executive Chairman of the Commission. He was appointed in an acting capacity as Chairman on November 3, 2011, following the removal of Mrs Farida Waziri by President Goodluck Jonathan.
Subsequently, Larmode was confirmed as the third substantive Chairman of the EFCC by the Senate on February 15, 2012.
