Alleged Judge Intimidation Stalls Anti-Corruption Efforts – Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu has pointed to several significant obstacles undermining the fight against corruption in Nigeria, including frivolous appeals, purported intimidation of judges by legal representatives, and rulings based on technicalities rather than substantive evidence.

Speaking at the opening of the 6th Capacity Building Workshop for Justices and Judges, organized by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the National Judicial Institute (NJI) in Abuja, Tinubu emphasized that these issues must be addressed to expedite the resolution of corruption cases.

Represented by Vice-President Kashim Shettima, the president acknowledged the strides made in prosecuting corruption cases, thanks to justice sector reforms implemented in recent years.

He characterized the workshop as a vital forum for unifying efforts against corruption, which he referred to as Nigeria’s “common enemy.”

Tinubu said, “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 to 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.”

Despite recognizing improvements in the prosecution of corruption cases, Tinubu noted persistent challenges that hinder swift adjudication.

He highlighted the prevalence of frivolous applications and appeals designed to stall proceedings, as well as intimidation faced by judges from attorneys.

Additionally, he criticized judgments that focus on technicalities rather than the facts of cases.

Tinubu asserted that corruption is a pervasive issue affecting every Nigerian, depriving the nation of its rightful benefits from abundant resources.

To combat these new forms of crime, Tinubu urged the judiciary to ensure that courts possess the necessary expertise and tools.

“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,” he stated.

The president also announced that his government has strategically invested in recovering stolen assets through critical social programs aimed at alleviating pressures that could lead vulnerable Nigerians to engage in corrupt practices.

Tinubu praised the EFCC for its unwavering dedication to tackling economic and financial crimes, particularly in the recovery of misappropriated assets.

He assured that the federal government would continue to back the commission in executing its responsibilities without interference.

The president expressed gratitude to the NJI and EFCC leadership for initiating the annual workshop aimed at equipping prosecutors and judicial officers to confront corruption effectively.

Earlier, Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, commended the collaboration between anti-graft agencies and the judiciary in addressing economic and financial crimes.

She called on law enforcement agencies to view judicial officials as partners in the anti-corruption movement, affirming the judiciary’s commitment to capacity-building initiatives.

Justice Kekere-Ekun warned that economic and financial crimes pose serious threats to both national and global economies, necessitating a collective effort from all stakeholders to combat these issues.

Meanwhile, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, represented by Deputy Senate President Sen. Jibrin Barau, praised the partnership between anti-graft agencies and the judiciary.

He stressed the importance of adopting practical solutions to address the challenges facing the nation, particularly regarding financial crimes.

Akpabio also advocated for periodic reviews of laws governing economic crimes and the establishment of a central database for law enforcement agencies, asserting that the complexities of financial crimes require ongoing legislative adjustments.