A former Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman Ibrahim Lamorde died while undergoing a surgical procedure for kidney stone removal at a hospital in Egypt, The Nation has learnt.
The former EFCC chairman died on Saturday.
He was 61.
A source at the anti-graft commission described Lamorde’s death as an irony of fate because it occurred when he flew his wife to Egypt for treatment.
The source said: “He actually took his wife to Egypt for medical attention when he decided to remove a kidney stone which had caused him some discomfort.
“He, however, died in the process of the procedure to remove the stone.
“His body will be brought to Nigeria on Monday for Janazza (Islamic burial rites). I think the Federal Government is assisting in the formalities to bring back his remains.”
The late Lamorde was born on December 20, 1962 at Mubi in Adamawa State.
He attended Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) in Zaria, Kaduna State, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology in 1984.
He joined the Nigerian Police Force in 1986 and became the substantive EFCC Chairman on February 15, 2012.
The late Lamorde was replaced by ex-President Muhammadu Buhari with AIG Ibrahim Magu (retd.) on November 9, 2015.
Also, the EFCC has described Lamorde’s death as a shock, saying its former chairman was a “focused and a gallant anti- graft fighter”.
In a statement by its Head of Media and Publicity, Mr. Dele Oyewale, the anti-graft agency said: “Lamorde, the pioneer Director of Operations and the third substantive chairman of the EFCC between February 15, 2012 and November 9, 2015, served the nation actively as a focused and a gallant anti-graft fighter.
“He will be sorely missed both at the EFCC and the nation at large.”
Also, the Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), Dr. Solomon Arase, described the late Lamorde as a bright and consummate intelligence officer.
A statement yesterday in Abuja by PSC’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Mr. Ikechukwu Ani, said Arase noted that the nation has lost one of its bright intelligence officers who contributed immensely to the growth of intelligence policing in the country.
He lauded Lamorde’s humility and temperate disposition to the allure of power.
“At no time did power get into the head of the late officer who remained humble and committed throughout his career,” Arase said.
Also, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) mourned the retired Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG).
Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun conveyed the sadness of the officers and men of the NPF over Lamorde’s passing in a statement yesterday in Abuja by Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO) Olumuyiwa Adejobi, an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP).
He lauded Lamorde’s unyielding commitment to justice and professional policing.
Also, a lawyer, Wahab Shittu (SAN), described the late Lamorde as a man who matched his action with few words.
“The departed was the ‘engine box’ who spoke sparingly but was polite, effective and efficient. Warm, unassuming and accessible, Lamorde worked seamlessly with Ribadu as if both were Siamese twins,” Shittu said.