Pioneer chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and related offences Commission (ICPC), Justice Mustapha Akanbi, yesterday, expressed his opposition to calls for state police.

Akanbi also cautioned against celebrating corrupt people in the society if the nation must be rid of corruption which he noted, has retarded its growth.

The eminent Jurist lamented that corruption has eaten deep into the nation's fabric to the extent that, "Nigerians, today believe that they cannot even get justice in our law courts without bribing the Judges".

The former president of the Court of Appeal said these at a news conference organised to kick-start his 80th birthday anniversary in Ilorin, Kwara state.

He noted that even as state police was not economically feasible, it would encourage oppression and added that for the nation to bring about the much desired security, a re-orientation of the police and adequate funding of the force were necessary.

"I don't support the establishment of state police. Our economy cannot support it. It will also encourage oppression. Those calling for state police are people who do not want Nigeria to progress," he pointed out.

The eminent Jurist asked rhetorically "must we divide the Nigerian customs service, the immigration service and the likes to ensure their effectiveness just like people want us to do with the police force now?"

On the way forward, Akanbi posited that, "what we need are leaders who will wipe out poverty and ensure the unity of all Nigerians, irrespective of ethnic or religious background.We need people who can sacrifice their lives for the nation as leaders."