President Bola Tinubu says granting frivolous applications and judgements based on technicalities is hindering Nigeria’s fight against corruption.
He said this on Monday in Abuja while addressing judges and justices at a capacity-building workshop organised by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and National Judicial Institute (NJI).
Tinubu was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima.
“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,” a statement by Shettima’s media aide Stanley Nkwocha said.
“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”.
STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE
PRESIDENT TINUBU TO JUDICIARY:
Anti-graft War Won’t Be Won By Technicalities, Frivolous Appeals
*** Lists student loan fund, consumer credit scheme as FG’s strategic initiatives to curb corruption
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu @officialABAT has… pic.twitter.com/SpWeMFVeOe
— Stanley Nkwocha (@stanleynkwocha_) October 7, 2024
But he assured that his administration remains “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.
Tinubu, however, admitted that “corruption is cancer which continues to deny the nation the full benefits of her God-given resources”.
He urged all Nigerians “to close ranks and aggressively tackle this common enemy” can make the difference, instead of looking up “to only the Anti-Corruption Agencies for solutions to this malaise.”
