The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, has warned politicians and public office holders against using stolen public funds to sponsor people to Mecca or Jerusalem, saying such money cannot be legitimised by religious acts.
Abubakar said religious leaders must take a stronger position against corruption and work with law enforcement agencies to ensure that people who abuse public funds are held accountable.
The Sultan spoke on Wednesday in Abuja at the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council stakeholders’ meeting themed, “Shared Sacred Flourishing in Nigeria.”
“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.
He urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to pursue alleged corrupt individuals irrespective of their political, religious or personal connections.
“Whoever is involved—our brothers, sisters, fathers, or friends—should face the law,” he said.
The Sultan also cautioned religious leaders against shielding people accused of corruption because of their positions in churches or mosques.
He urged the EFCC to perform its duties without political interference and called for greater collaboration between religious institutions and anti-corruption agencies.
Abubakar further called on Christian and Muslim leaders to promote mutual understanding and national unity, saying religious tolerance alone was insufficient for building lasting cooperation.
“I keep telling people that I don’t want you to just tolerate me, because tolerance means enduring something you have no choice about.
“But if you understand me, we can work together because we know who we are to each other,” he said.
The Sultan also advised clerics to be careful with their statements from the pulpit, particularly as the 2027 general elections approach.
He urged religious leaders to pray for national leaders rather than use religious platforms to attack public officials or inflame political tensions.
He described NIREC as an important platform for bringing Christians and Muslims together to discuss national issues and promote peace.
Abubakar also commended the outgoing Executive Secretary of NIREC, Prof. Cornelius Omonokhua, for his eight-year tenure and contribution to the council.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Interfaith Anti-Corruption Advisory Committee, Prof. Adedibu Ojerinde, said an anti-corruption manuals project developed by the EFCC and religious leaders was designed to use sermons and religious teachings to promote integrity.
Ojerinde said the manuals, first inaugurated in 2014 and re-inaugurated in January 2024, had been expanded to address emerging challenges, including youth-related vulnerabilities, cybercrime and money laundering within religious institutions.
He said the handover of the manuals to NIREC marked a transition from their publication to practical implementation.
He urged Christian and Muslim leaders to incorporate anti-corruption messages into Friday sermons and Sunday services.
The meeting was attended by religious leaders, government officials, security representatives and other stakeholders.
