Abuja, Nigeria – Emmanuel Ayoola, a former chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), has passed away at the age of 91. The announcement was made on Wednesday by the current ICPC Chairman, Musa Aliyu, who confirmed that Ayoola died on Tuesday.
Ayoola, who served as the second chairman of the ICPC from 2005 to 2010, succeeded Mustapha Akanbi in the role. His tenure at the Commission was marked by his commitment to combating corruption in Nigeria.
Born on October 27, 1933, in Ilesha, Osun State, Ayoola had a distinguished legal career. He began his journey in the judiciary as a high court judge in 1976 and rose to the rank of justice of the Supreme Court, retiring in 2003 upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 70.
Ayoola’s academic credentials were equally impressive. He received his law degree in 1957 and furthered his education at prestigious institutions, including the University of London and Oxford University.
His contributions extended beyond Nigeria’s borders. In 2004, Ayoola was appointed by the Secretary-General of the United Nations as a judge of the appeals chamber of the Special Court for Sierra Leone, established to prosecute those responsible for war crimes during the Sierra Leone civil war. He served as the court’s president from 2004 to 2005.
In recognition of his service to Nigeria and humanity, Ayoola was awarded the Nigerian National Honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) in 2003.
Ayoola’s passing marks the end of a remarkable career dedicated to justice and the fight against corruption, leaving behind a legacy of integrity and service.
