By George Omagbemi
The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has warned politicians and public office holders against using stolen or corruptly obtained public funds to sponsor religious pilgrimages to Mecca and Jerusalem.
The Sultan issued the warning on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, in Abuja, while speaking at the opening of a stakeholders’ meeting organised by the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC), themed “Shared Sacred Flourishing in Nigeria.”
Abubakar said corruptly acquired wealth could not become legitimate simply because it was used for religious purposes. He urged politicians and other public officials to distinguish genuine religious service from the misuse of public resources.
The Sultan also appealed to religious leaders not to shield individuals accused of corruption because of their political, religious, family or personal connections.
He called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other law-enforcement agencies to pursue corruption cases without discrimination, stressing that accountability should apply regardless of a person’s status or connections.
His remarks placed renewed attention on the relationship between religion, public resources and accountability, particularly where government funds are used to finance pilgrimages.
The Sultan further urged Christian and Muslim leaders to strengthen cooperation and promote values that discourage corruption.
His central message was clear: religious devotion should never become a cover for corruption, while public office should never be used as a gateway to misuse public resources.
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