*CJN commends, Pledges Support For Anti-graft Agencies Leadership
PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has listed frivolous appeals, alleged intimidation of Judges by lawyers and judgments delivered on grounds of technicalities as some of the major challenges impeding the fight against corruption in Nigeria, saying until these are curtailed, they would continue to hamper the speedy adjudication of corruption cases in the country.
Speaking while declaring open the 6th Economic and Financial Crimes Commission/National Judicial Institute Capacity Building Workshop for Justices and Judges at the National Judicial Institute (NJI), Abuja, Tinubu admitted that prosecution of corruption cases has improved remarkably, following the justice sector reforms in the last few years.
The President, who was represented by his Vice, Kashim Shettima, described the capacity-building workshop as a platform to collectively raise a strong voice against Nigeria’s common enemy called corruption.
The President stated: “There is no gainsaying the fact that the judiciary is central to the success of the anti-corruption efforts. The commitment, courage and patriotism of judicial officers are ingredients that make the difference in the fight against corruption.
“Though I am aware that prosecution of corruption matters has improved in the light of the justice sector reforms in the last few years, we are not oblivious of some challenges that continue to impede the speedy adjudication of corruption cases. They include frivolous applications and appeals meant to delay the trial, intimidation of Judges by counsel and judgment based not on the facts of cases but on technicalities.”
He stated that “corruption is cancer, which continues to deny the nation the full benefits of her God-given resources,” adding that only the enlightened collective interest of all Nigerians to close ranks and aggressively tackle this common enemy can make the difference, instead of looking up to only the anti-corruption agencies for solutions to this malaise.
Tinubu said advances in technology have increased the complexity of financial crimes beyond the scope of current jurisprudence, citing the emergence of virtual assets, which he said, have occasioned an upsurge in cryptocurrency fraud.
He urged the judiciary to ensure that the courts are equipped with the required knowledge to handle cases involving these new forms of crime, adding: “As an administration, we remain committed to creating the right environment for judicial officers to discharge their responsibilities.
“One of the major actions of the government within the first year of my administration was improving the welfare of Judges across the board with an increase in their remuneration.
“Official accommodation is also being provided for various categories of judicial officers in highbrow areas of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).”
Tinubu said his administration has, through strategic investment of recovered proceeds of corruption in critical social programmes, moved to reduce the pressure on vulnerable Nigerians to resort to corrupt practices, even as he identified the Students Loan Fund and the Consumer Credit Scheme as part of these social interventions.
He commended the EFCC for its commitment in fighting all economic and financial crimes, especially in tracing and recovering stolen assets, assuring that the federal government would continue to support its work to ensure that it continues to deliver its statutory mandate without let or hindrance.
He commended the leaderships of NJI and EFCC for initiating the annual workshop for prosecutors and judicial officers, hoping the seminar would interrogate the challenges hampering the fight against corruption and provide an opportunity for the Bar and Bench to improve their capacity in dealing with emerging typologies of financial crimes.
Earlier, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, commended the current leadership of anti-graft agencies in the country for their commitment and collaboration with the judiciary in handling economic, financial crimes and related cases, noting that law enforcement agencies must begin to see judicial officials as partners in the anti-graft campaign.
She pledged the support and commitment of the judiciary in the campaign through capacity-building initiatives for Justices, Judges and prosecuting officers, saying economic and financial crimes pose significant threats to national and global economies and must be tackled by all stakeholders.
On his part, Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, who was represented by his Deputy, Jibrin Barau, lauded the collaboration between anti-graft agencies and the judiciary, noting: “It is incumbent on us all as stakeholders to adopt and implement pragmatic solutions that will help address challenges confronting our country, including financial crimes.”
He advocated a periodic review of laws relating to economic crimes and the creation of a central database for use by law enforcement agencies, stating that the complexity of financial crimes requires constant tweaking of the laws.
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, described the workshop as a significant step in the administration’s efforts at combating economic and financial crimes, stressing that competence must be at the forefront of the reinvigorated war against corruption.
Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, recommended the adoption of a multifaceted approach in the fight against graft, welcoming the continued collaboration between the EFCC and the judiciary.
In his goodwill message, a former secretary general of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, said though the menace of corruption is not peculiar in the country, the dimension of the crime across Nigeria requires value reorientation among citizens and in key government agencies.
EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, said the workshop was key to addressing thorny issues in the agency’s efforts to rid the country of financial crimes.
While acknowledging challenges faced by stakeholders, which have affected investigations into a number of high-profile cases in the country, Olukoyede commended the judiciary for its support, noting that regular interactions among stakeholders would go a long way in the realisation of the renewed vision and objectives of all anti-graft agencies under the present administration.
