President Bola Tinubu has pledged his administration’s full support and called on the judiciary to intensify its anti-corruption fight, warning that a compromised justice system signals the breakdown of society.
The President’s remarks were delivered by Vice President Kashim Shettima on Monday at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and National Judicial Institute (NJI) Workshop for Justices and Judges in Abuja.
He announced that the EFCC has achieved over 7,000 convictions and recovered assets exceeding ₦500 billion within the first two years of his administration, with recovered funds being channeled into social investment programs like the Students Loan and Consumer Credit Schemes.
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Tinubu emphasised that the nation’s moral foundation rests on the integrity of the judiciary, which must remain steadfast, impartial, and incorruptible.
Addressing growing public concern, he highlighted the delayed adjudication of high-profile corruption matters compared to the swift resolution of cybercrime cases.
He noted that court decisions in serious corruption matters sometimes engender feelings that society is being left with the wrong end of the stick.
Despite this, the President defended his administration’s non-interference policy, stating that no one can accuse the government of protecting political affiliates.
“We have allowed both the judiciary and the anti-graft agencies to exercise their constitutional and statutory powers,” he affirmed.
The President reaffirmed his commitment to improving the welfare and working conditions of judicial officers, citing recent remuneration reviews as part of efforts to strengthen judicial independence.
He also stressed the need for judges to embrace continuous learning to handle the increasing complexity of financial crimes, noting the shift from simple email evidence to complex blockchain analysis in fraud cases like cryptocurrency scams.
“Learning and relearning is no longer a buzz phrase but an essential undertaking for continued relevance in this digital age,” he said.
Speaking, Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, who also chairs the NJI Board of Governors, underscored the profound impact of judicial decisions on Nigeria’s growth and stability.
She urged judges to ensure that justice is neither delayed nor partial, emphasising that the judiciary’s strength lies in the public’s trust.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, represented by Senator Mohammed Monguno, pledged that the National Assembly would continue to equip law enforcement agencies to combat corruption, which he termed an “enemy of the state.”
EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, highlighted that the Supreme Court’s decision upholding the Commission’s mandate has strengthened anti-corruption efforts.
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He praised the judiciary, noting that a record of 4,111 convictions and humongous asset recoveries could not have been achieved by a lazy or ineffective judiciary.
NJI Administrator B.A. Adejumo called for continued collaboration between the EFCC, the judiciary, and the Institute, stressing that “no nation can develop without tackling corruption.”
