President Bola Tinubu has identified frivolous appeals, alleged intimidation of Judges by lawyers and judgments delivered on grounds of technicalities as some of the major challenges impeding the war against corruption.
According to him, until these challenges are curtailed, they will continue to hamper the speedy adjudication of corruption cases.
Tinubu stated this on Monday 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.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the president was represented by the Vice-President, Kashim Shettima.
He, however, acknowledged that prosecution of corruption cases had improved remarkably, following the justice sector reforms in the last few years.
The president described the capacity-building workshop as a platform to collectively raise a strong voice against Nigeria’s common enemy called corruption.
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 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 said that no Nigerian was immune to corruption, a cancer which continues to deny the nation the full benefits of her God-given resources.
Tinubu urged the judiciary arm of government to ensure that the courts are equipped with the required knowledge to handle cases involving these new forms of crime.
” 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,” he stated.
The president assured his administration has, through strategic investment, recovered proceeds of corruption in critical social programmes.
He added that his administration moved to reduce the pressure on vulnerable Nigerians to resort to corrupt practices.
Tinubu commended the EFCC for its commitment in fighting all economic and financial crimes, especially in tracing and recovering stolen assets.
He assured that the Federal Government would continue to support the work of the commission to ensure that it continues to deliver its statutory mandate without let or hindrance”.
