Ibrahim Lamorde: Death of a quintessential anti-graft czar

By Onuora Olumba

The death on May 25, 2024 of Ibrahim Abdulkadir Lamorde, a mercurial police officer who bestrode the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at various times as director of operations and chairman between 2006 and 2015 has opened a fresh vista for a dispassionate appraisal of his trajectory at the anti- corruption body. It is to the credit of the late officer who was a pioneer staff when the organization was created in 2003 that the creditable strides, stability and perceptible dreadful image it grossed in its formative decade and beyond could be registered.

He, more than any other, spent the most time at critical decision levels in the anti- corruption body since inception in 2003. As a graduate of Sociology, which is the scientific study of human society that focuses on society, human social behavior, patterns of social relationships, social interaction, and aspects of culture associated with everyday life, he brought into the EFCC a knack for empirical investigations and critical analysis assisted by a proven cognate experience drawn from the Special Fraud Unit, (SFU) of the police where he served in the unit in charge of Advance Fee Fraud known in local parlance as 419. This rich background was garnished with an unblemished record at the United Nations Civilian Police in the Ermera district of East Timor as a chief investigation officer between 2000 and 2001, among other sterling crime bursting assignments in the police at different levels. His post EFCC years have also been attenuated with a superfluity of invitations across the globe for security and investigation lectures. He was also reputed to be firm, impartial, and through his diligence and proclivity for truth and justice saved many careers in both the police and EFCC. Beyond that, he reputedly, through thorough investigations redressed injustices meted out on those wrongly accused, thereby saving a lot of careers.
Remarkably, his sojourn in the police was not too rosy. There were thorns laid on his path by denizens of oppression and jealousy which impeded and stagnated his ascension beyond the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police, ACP for a long time before the bar was broken and he eventually retired as Deputy Inspector General of police, (DIG). But despite his travails, the unassuming officer took them with equanimity and measured humility. He accepted his postings, no matter how diminishing or malicious with poise, resignation to fate, and faced the challenges with zeal and commitment. His mantra and belief was that a police officer worth his onions should be ready to serve anywhere and anytime. He never lowered the super cop image.
So, it was with utter shock, and perhaps resignation to the will of God that Nigerians, especially his friends, relations and admirers, received the news of his sudden death in far away Cairo, Egypt on the fateful day. He had arrived in Cairo on a brief private visit, hale and hearty, and this writer even spoke with him as he exuded high spirits. The late Lamorde was humble, considerate and highly detribalized. He cultivated and maintained friendships across the many religious, political and ethnic divides of the country. His sudden demise has dealt a big blow on the vast and bubbling community of his friends. His memory will ingrain in our psyches with loving fondness. It is noteworthy that prominent Nigerians, including President Bola Tinubu have all expressed sadness and grief on his passing. Like many other close allies of his, I am still struggling to grapple with the grim reality of his sudden exit. However, his ideals must be celebrated and his death has to be situated on a veritable canvas to evaluate humanity and the essence of life. From all prisms, he was a rare gem. He lived to prove that law enforcement should be used as a tool to make meaningful impact on the society. He wielded power with human face, professionalism, and resoluteness. He deployed intellect to impart expertise to officers of the commission. He inspired and mentored many officers across a broad spectrum. He was indeed a disciplined officer. The tumult that greeted his death remains an abiding testimony to his strength of character, and love for humanity. His death flags a unifying banner, irrespective of our different tongues. He has played his path in life, lived a fulfilled life in just about six decades and served as blessing to many people. In the words of the current EFCC chairman, Ola Olukoyede “ His footprints will remain indelible”
Lamorde, the third executive Chairman of EFCC, was appointed in acting capacity on November 23,2011,and was confirmed by the Senate on February 15,2012. He was born on December 20, 1962, in Mubi, Adamawa State. He graduated from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria,ABU, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology in 1984. He will be sorely missed. May he find eternal rest and may his memory be a beacon and inspiration for those he left behind.
May Allah accept his soul into Aljannatul Firdaus. Ameen
•Onuora Olumba, a pharmacist and former member of the Imo State House of Assembly, writes from Orlu, Imo State.