Stop sponsoring pilgrims with stolen funds - Sultan warns politicians

Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, has warned Nigerian politicians and public office holders against sponsoring pilgrimages to the holy lands of Mecca and Jerusalem with stolen public funds.

The Sultan gave the charge on Wednesday in Abuja at the opening ceremony of the stakeholders’ meeting organised by the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council, with the theme “Shared Sacred Flourishing in Nigeria.”  

Addressing participants, Abubakar said God does not accept corrupt offerings.

He emphasised that religious leaders should actively collaborate with anti-corruption agencies to curb systemic corruption.

“We, as religious leaders, must fight corruption because God Almighty doesn’t like corruption.

“You cannot steal money and send people to Jerusalem or Mecca with corrupt funds and think God will accept your deeds. God is not corrupt, so you cannot use corrupt money for Hajj or anything else,” he said.

The Sultan urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to deal decisively with corrupt individuals, regardless of their political or religious affiliations.

“Whoever is involved—our brothers, sisters, fathers, or friends—should face the law.

“When someone is facing the law, do not tell me he is the pastor of so-and-so church or the chief imam of so-and-so mosque. We do not want to hear that,” he said.

He also urged the EFCC to discharge its duties without political interference.