The Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar, on Monday, advocated for the assets of former government officials found to have corruptly enriched themselves, to be seized and the officials handed lengthy jail sentences.

The Sultan made the call, while delivering the keynote address at the National Security Summit organised by the Nigerian Police Force in collaboration with The Sun newspapers, in Abuja on Monday.

President Muhammadu Buhari was in attendance as the special guest of honour at the event, which also attracted a huge number of traditional rulers and other notable Nigerians.

At the event, which was broadcast live on African Independent Television (AIT), the Sultan, who is also a member of the National Peace Committee, which has been criticised by many Nigerians for seemingly seeking a soft landing for corrupt politicians, said to President Buhari:

“We are hundred per cent behind you in your fight against corruption. It is our belief that all those found guilty should not only forfeit their assets, they should also serve long jail sentences.”

Sultan Abubakar further called on President Buhari to institute what he called a ‘National Integrity Plan’ for the country, which would entail conscious efforts to rebuild Nigeria around the ethics of integrity, honesty and diligence. He added that this would place Nigeria in its rightful position.

Also speaking at the event, the publisher of The Sun, Mr Orji Uzor Kalu urged President Buhari to fight corruption with an approach different from that of his predecessors in office, who allegedly only attacked innocent political opponents.

Kalu added that the security summit was organised to key into Buhari’s vision that only a secured nation can prosper.