Date: 2014-05-12

The pioneer Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices and other Offences related Commission, retired Justice Mustapha Akanbi, said in Ilorin yesterday that a number of forces hunted the immediate-past President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Ayo Isa Salami, but that he stood firm on the path of truth.

He said had the latter reneged on what he believed to be the truth, he would have been subdued by the “invisible” elements.

Though he did not direct the statement to any quarter.

Akanbi, who spoke at the special prayer held in honour of Justice Salami by the Kwara State Zone of Nasrul-Lahi-L-Fathi Society of Nigeria (NASFAT) at the society’s Village along Ilorin International Airport road, said despite the tribulations, the erstwhile Appellate court was vindicated.

He said the honouree exemplified the truth and principle of justice throughout his sojourn in the judiciary.

Identifying the country’s bane as hypocrisy, Justice Akanbi challenged judicial officers to be above board by being fearless in the discharge of their sacred duty.

He also told the congregants that he was not regretting leaving office at the time he bowed out of service.

Akanbi said, “He (Salami) is truthful and principled; he stands for what he believed to be the truth and my belief is that if one stands by the truth, he would always curry God’s guidance even in the face of persecution.

“He worked with me; he was hunted by some forces but they couldn’t nail him because he maintained his stance as a truthful person”.

In his address, the Chairman, Kwara State Zone of NASFAT, Prince Suleiman Ayodele Fagbemi, absolved Justice Salami of any unwholesome conduct during his service in the judiciary, saying “he doesn’t care whose ox is gored”.

Fagbemi said a discreet look into his years in the temple of justice indicated that he abided by the provision of the glorious Quran which he swore to uphold.

He said that Salami deserved to be honoured because he distanced himself from being tagged as money worshiper.

Fagbemi, a one-time Permanent Secretary in the Kwara State Civil Service, said every deed of mankind would be accounted for in the sight of Almighty Allah on the day of resurrection.

The General Manager of Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) Ilorin, Alhaji Mikail Sarumo, who delivered the speech of National President of NASFAT worldwide, Alhaji Sherrif Yusuf, eulogized Justice Salami for administering justice without fear or favour.

He said in spite of tribulations he passed through, Allah offers him victory.

The prayer session was led by Imam Zakariyah Saheed.