Ibrahim Lamorde, the former chairman of Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has died at the age of 61.
Lamorde passed away in Egypt, where he had been receiving medical treatment, according to sources close to his family.
Born on December 20, 1962, in Mubi, Adamawa State, Lamorde had a distinguished career in law enforcement and was a significant figure in Nigeria’s efforts to combat corruption.
He joined the Nigerian Police Force in 1986 and retired as a Deputy Inspector General of Police in 2021.
Lamorde’s tenure at the EFCC, from 2011 to 2015, was a notable period in the agency’s history. He first assumed leadership of the EFCC in an acting capacity on November 3, 2011, following the dismissal of his predecessor, Farida Waziri, by then-President Goodluck Jonathan. His appointment was later confirmed by the Senate on February 15, 2012.
A graduate of Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology in 1984, Lamorde began his police career two years later. When the EFCC was established in 2003, he was appointed its first Director of Operations.
He briefly served as Acting Chairman in early 2008 before Farida Waziri’s appointment. Lamorde returned to the EFCC in December 2010 as Director of Operations and once again took on the role of Acting Chairman in November 2011. His confirmation as EFCC Chairman came in February 2012, a role he held until November 9, 2015, when he was succeeded by Ibrahim Magu under President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.
Lamorde’s legacy includes significant contributions to Nigeria’s fight against corruption and financial crimes. His efforts and dedication to law enforcement and anti-corruption measures were instrumental in shaping the EFCC’s operations and strategies during his tenure.
His death marks the end of a notable chapter in Nigeria’s law enforcement history, leaving behind a legacy of commitment to justice and integrity in public service. Lamorde’s contributions will be remembered as a significant part of Nigeria’s ongoing battle against corruption.