The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, has called on religious leaders across Nigeria to intensify their efforts against corruption, warning that money obtained through corrupt practices cannot earn divine blessings, even when used to fund religious activities.
The Sultan made the remarks on Wednesday during the 2026 Second Council Meeting of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC), held under the theme, “Shared Sacred Flourishing in Nigeria.”
He urged religious leaders to condemn corruption, promote ethical conduct, and support the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in investigating and prosecuting individuals accused of financial crimes.
Sultan Rejects Corrupt Funds for Hajj and Religious Pilgrimages
Speaking at the meeting, Sultan Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar condemned the practice of using proceeds of corruption to sponsor religious pilgrimages to Mecca or Jerusalem.
He stressed that corruptly acquired funds do not become acceptable simply because they are used for religious purposes.
“God Almighty doesn’t like corruption, he doesn’t love corruption. You cannot steal money and then send people to Jerusalem and Mecca with corrupt money, and then you think God will accept your deeds. No,” the Sultan said.
He further maintained that religious activities should not be financed with funds obtained through illegal or dishonest means.
“God is not corrupt, so he doesn’t like corruption. So you cannot use corrupt money to send people to Jerusalem or to Saudi Arabia for Hajj or for any other thing,” he added.
The Sultan’s comments highlighted the importance of integrity and accountability in religious institutions, particularly when dealing with donations, sponsorships, and funds suspected to have been obtained unlawfully.
Sultan Calls on Religious Leaders to Support EFCC
The Sultan called on religious leaders to collaborate with EFCC Chairman Olanipekun Olukoyede in the fight against corruption, emphasizing that no individual should be exempted from accountability because of their religious identity or social connections.
He stated that pastors, imams, relatives, friends, and other individuals suspected of violating the law should be allowed to face the justice system.
“Whoever is involved, even our brothers, our sisters, our fathers, our friends, those involved, should face the law. And law is not a respecter of anybody,” he said.
According to the Sultan, religious affiliation should not be used to influence investigations or secure special treatment for individuals facing allegations of corruption.
No Religious Exemption for Corruption Suspects, Sultan Says
The Sultan specifically warned religious leaders against intervening on behalf of individuals accused of financial crimes by citing their positions within religious communities.
He urged stakeholders to allow the EFCC to carry out its responsibilities in accordance with the law, regardless of whether a suspect is a pastor, chief imam, or another religious figure.
“When he is facing the law, don’t tell me he is the pastor of a church, he is the chief imam of a mosque. We don’t want to hear that,” the Sultan said.
He emphasized that the law should apply equally to all individuals and that religious status should not serve as a basis for avoiding prosecution where there is sufficient legal justification.
Sultan Urges EFCC to Resist Political Interference
The Sultan also called on the EFCC to investigate and prosecute individuals suspected of corruption based on the provisions of the law, irrespective of their religious affiliations or political connections.
He urged the anti-graft agency to remain firm in the discharge of its duties and avoid allowing political considerations to influence its decisions.
“Let the EFCC Chairman go after that person, whoever it is, and deal with him according to the law,” he said.
He added:
“And dealing with him according to the law, don’t deviate, don’t listen to politics or political leaders.”
The remarks underscored his call for impartial enforcement of anti-corruption laws and accountability across religious and political communities.
NIREC Meeting Focuses on Faith and Ethical Conduct
The Sultan’s statements were made as religious leaders and EFCC representatives discussed the role of faith institutions in promoting ethical behavior and addressing corruption in Nigeria.
The 2026 Second Council Meeting of NIREC, organized around the theme “Shared Sacred Flourishing in Nigeria,” provided a platform for discussions on the responsibilities of religious institutions in strengthening moral values, social accountability, and national development.
The Sultan’s appeal places emphasis on the need for religious leaders to take a clear position against corruption, reject illicit financial support, and encourage equal application of the law.