Organised labour mourns ‘selfless, incorruptible Akanbi’

The organised labour in Nigeria yesterday mourned the former President of Court of Appeal, Justice Mustapha Akanbi, describing him as “selfless, hard and smart working, incorruptible and generous jurist whose exit will be missed.” The pioneer Chairman of Independent Corrupt Practice and Other Off ences Commission (ICPC), Justice Akanbi died yesterday morning in a private hospital in Ilorin, Kwara state after a brief illness at the age of 86.
Speaking yesterday in a statement sent from Saudi Arabia, where he went for Umrah, General Secretary of Textile Workers Union, who is also NEC member of Nigeria Labour Congress and Vice President of Industrial Global Union, Comrade Issa Aremu, said the late Justice Akanbi lived an impactful life and he will be sorely missed in Nigeria and Africa.
“I landed at Jeddah, Saudi Arabia Sunday 3rd of June 2018 to receive the news of the death of our grandfather, father, mentor, pan African leader and role model, Hon.
Justice Mustapha Akanbi (rtd) the Wakili of Ilorin.
May Almighty Allah shower the abundant blessings of the month of Ramadan among which is Aljanat Firdaus! “At 86, Alhaji Mustapha led an impactful life to the end which at the last count touched positively on humanity in a sustainable way.
Ilorin, Kwara state, Nigeria and indeed Africa truly lost a selfless, hard and smart working, incorruptible and generous state and non-statesman.
“To National Union of Textile and Garment Workers, his deathis a total loss.
My Lord was more than a judicial titan.
He was indeed a senior comrade in his own right given his commitment to fairness and justice to all and his down to earth simplicity and accessibility.
“He proudly identified with the masses and mass organisations often at shortest notice.
Many times, my Lord had been an inspirational resource fellow at textile union’s educational programmes.
He was billed for a national award as an offi cial member of our union at the 40th anniversary later in August this year.
“The achievements of Justice Mustapha as a statesman of integrity are well documented.
Former president of Court of Appeal, Justice Mustapha like late Nelson Mandela left when the ovation and integrity were unblemished,” he said.