The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has described the death of its former chairman, Ibrahim Lamorde, as shocking, saying he served the nation actively as an anti-corruption fighter.
Lamorde was the first director of operations and third substantive chairman of the EFCC between February 15, 2012 and November 9, 2015.
In a statement by EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, on Sunday, the anti-graft agency said: ” EFCC received with shock the sudden death of one of its former executive chairman, Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde.
“Lamorde, pioneer director of operations and third substantive chairman of the EFCC between February 15, 2012 and November 9, 2015, served the nation actively as a focused and gallant anti-graft fighter.
“He will be sorely missed both at the EFCC and the nation at large.”
The Commission prayed for the repose of his soul and comfort for his family, the EFCC and the entire nation.
LEADERSHIP reports that Lamorde died in Egypt, where he had travelled to for medical treatment.
He was born on December 20, 1962 and joined the Nigerian Police in 1986. He retired as a deputy inspector general of police in 2021.
While a police officer, he served as EFCC chairman between 2011 and 2015.
When the EFCC was created in 2003, Mr Lamorde was made the pioneer director of operations. In December 2007, he took over as Acting Chairman in January 2008, holding the position until Mrs Waziri was appointed Chairperson and confirmed by the Senate in June 2008. In December 2010, Mr Lamorde returned to the EFCC, again as Director of Operations to replace Stephen Otitoju, the then acting director of operations.
When Mrs Waziri was replaced on 23 November 2011, Mr Lamorde, then an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), was again appointed acting chairman. He was confirmed as substantive chairman of the EFCC on 15 February 2012, a position he held till 9 November 2015, when President Buhari replaced him with Ibrahim Magu as the EFCC chairman in an acting capacity.