President Bola Tinubu, on Monday, said judgements delivered on technicalities, frivolous appeals and intimidation of judges by lawyers still pose challenges to the nation’s war against corruption.
Speaking at the 6th Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and National Judicial Institute (NJI) capacity building workshop in Abuja, Tinubu called for a more efficient approach in handling corruption cases.
Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Tinubu noted that while reforms in the justice sector have led to some improvements, the system is still hampered by delays caused by unnecessary legal manoeuvers.
“There is no gainsaying the fact that the judiciary is central to the success of the anticorruption 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.
Tinubu said “no Nigerian is immune to corruption, a cancer which continues to deny the nation the full benefits of her God-given resources,” adding that only collective efforts of all Nigerians can bring about change.
“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.
