Sultan of Sokoto warns against using stolen funds for pilgrimages

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, has cautioned politicians and public officials against using stolen public funds to sponsor religious pilgrimages to Mecca and Jerusalem. Speaking at a Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja, the Sultan stated that corrupt offerings are not accepted by God.

Abubakar called on religious leaders to collaborate with anti-corruption agencies to combat systemic graft. He specifically urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to prosecute corrupt individuals decisively, regardless of their religious or political status, and to operate without political interference.

Additionally, the Sultan emphasized the importance of national unity through inter-faith dialogue, praising NIREC as a platform for fostering genuine mutual understanding between Christians and Muslims rather than mere tolerance.