Former Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Justice Mustapha Akanbi (rtd.), has tasked other anti-corruption agencies in the country not to allow the recent events in the country dampen their morale in the fight against corruption.

He said what was required was for the agencies to redouble their efforts at ensuring that corruption is brought to zero level in the country.

Speaking with THISDAY in Ilorin Sunday, over the recent state pardon granted to former governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, and former Managing Director of Bank of North, Alhaji Shetima Bulama, who were both convicted at various times for corruption offences in the country, Akanbi said: "I see it as a great challenge to anti-corruption agencies in Nigeria and those of us who belief that corruption should be out of place in Nigeria and this will not stop us."

According to him, "I want all the anti-corruption agencies like the ICPC, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) not to allow the recent development to dampen their morale and they should redouble their efforts so as to ensure zero tolerance of corruption in the country.

"I want to charge those that does not appreciate the efforts of the anti-corruption agencies in the war against corruption in the country to have a change of mind in the task of moving the nation forward."

Akanbi added that: "The only way to ensure peace, stability, probity, reduction of poverty level among Nigerians is to ensure that the war against corruption is achieved. We will continue to be more committed to this war against corruption in view of the fact that corruption is endemic in the society in order to accelerate the socio economic development of the country."

He, therefore, advised anti-corruption agencies to be up and doing and also shun all acts that may affect the war against corruption in the country.