President Bola Tinubu has expressed concern over the growing challenge of frivolous applications and judgments based on technicalities, which he believes are obstructing Nigeria’s efforts to combat corruption. This observation was made on Monday at a capacity-building workshop organized by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the National Judicial Institute (NJI) in Abuja, where the President emphasized the need for a more efficient judicial process in handling corruption cases.
Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Tinubu stated that the judiciary plays a pivotal role in the success of Nigeria’s anti-corruption drive. In a statement released by Shettima’s media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the President underscored that the commitment, courage, and patriotism of judicial officers are vital components for a successful fight against corruption.
“There is no gainsaying the fact that the judiciary is central to the success of the anti-corruption efforts,” the President remarked. He further elaborated that while progress has been made, particularly with the introduction of justice sector reforms, certain obstacles persist. These include the misuse of frivolous applications and appeals, which are often intended to delay trials and impede justice.
Tinubu also pointed to instances where judgments are made based on legal technicalities rather than the substance of the cases. This, according to the President, weakens the overall fight against corruption, as it undermines the swift resolution of cases and allows room for exploitation by individuals seeking to manipulate the system.
“The prosecution of corruption matters has improved in light of the justice sector reforms in the last few years,” Tinubu noted. “However, we are not oblivious to the challenges that continue to impede the speedy adjudication of corruption cases. These include frivolous applications, appeals, and the intimidation of judges by counsel.”
The president’s remarks at the workshop come as part of a broader government initiative to strengthen the judiciary’s capacity to handle corruption cases and improve overall governance. The event was attended by a wide array of judicial officers, including judges, justices, and legal practitioners who are key players in Nigeria’s justice system.
The workshop aims to equip judicial officers with the skills and knowledge needed to tackle corruption cases more efficiently. The president’s call to action reflects his administration’s determination to address the underlying issues that have long plagued Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts.
As the country continues to grapple with corruption at various levels of government and society, Tinubu’s administration is actively seeking to reform institutions and practices that allow corrupt practices to thrive. The President has reiterated that the judiciary’s role is indispensable in this regard, urging for a more courageous and patriotic approach to handling corruption-related cases.
The workshop also provided an opportunity for judicial officers to engage in discussions on how to overcome the legal bottlenecks that have hindered the effective prosecution of corruption cases in the country. As Nigeria’s government intensifies its efforts to fight corruption, the collaboration between the executive and the judiciary is seen as essential to achieving meaningful and lasting reform.
