Tinubu asks judges to fix delays in corruption trials

President Bola Tinubu has urged judges in Nigeria to close gaps in legal procedures. He said that politicians and crime suspects use these gaps to delay criminal trials.

He emphasized that the fight against corruption cannot move forward without a strong judiciary ready to address new types of financial crime. Mr Tinubu spoke on Tuesday in Abuja during the eighth annual workshop for judges, organized by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the National Judicial Institute (NJI). Vice President Kashim Shettima represented him at the event.

“Probe prosecution strategies, dismantle outdated precedents, and seal procedural gaps that politically exposed persons and organized crime actors exploit to delay or frustrate trial,” the president said.

In a statement shared with PREMIUM TIMES on Wednesday, Stanley Nkwocha, the media aide to the vice president, reported that Mr Tinubu mentioned that tackling corruption is not just the job of the executive branch. He said it affects all parts of government and society.

“We must no longer permit legal tricks and complicated procedures to protect criminals,” he said. He urged judges to make sure that legal processes do not become tools for wrongdoing. The courts, he added, must always serve the public interest.

Mr Tinubu pointed out that new technologies like blockchain and artificial intelligence have made financial crimes more complex. He called on investigators, prosecutors, and judges to boost their skills to keep up. At the workshop, themed “Investigation and Prosecution of Economic and Financial Crimes in a Digital Age,” he noted the EFCC’s success in recovering cryptocurrency and digital assets as proof of progress in fighting tech-related financial crimes.

According to the president, the EFCC managed to recover $22,417.91 worth of Bitcoin, 1,001,301.87 USDT in digital assets, and $5.6 million tied to the CBEX scheme in 2025. He also mentioned that 192 foreign nationals arrested for cyberterrorism and cryptocurrency fraud have faced prosecution and deportation.

Mr Tinubu urged the judiciary to enhance its ability to handle cases with digital evidence and virtual assets. He warned that the justice system could fall behind with the fast pace of tech changes. He praised Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Kudirat Kekere-Ekun for her work in reforming the judiciary and promised that the federal government would support efforts to improve justice in the digital age.

In her speech at the event, Ms Kekere-Ekun said technological advances have changed how digital evidence is collected and stored. This makes effective case management more critical than ever. She noted that ongoing training for judicial officers is helping to enhance case management and justice administration.

Emmanuel Udende, the Senate Committee Chairman on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes, remarked that the workshop is timely due to the rising sophistication of financial crimes, especially involving politically exposed persons. He assured that the National Assembly would continue to back the fight against corruption through new laws.

The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, represented by Director of Public Prosecution, Rotimi Oyedepo, called for better teamwork among government bodies and stakeholders. Mr Fagbemi, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), urged judges and lawyers to maximize the workshop to sharpen their skills for thorough investigations and diligent prosecutions.

Babatunde Adejumo, the Administrator of the NJI, said the partnership with the EFCC is key in strengthening the judiciary's response to financial crimes. EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede stated that the workshop is a significant part of the annual programs for both organizations. He noted that the commission has achieved many convictions and financial recoveries in the last three years, emphasizing the need for transparency in managing recovered funds and assets. Mr Olukoyede also raised concerns about technology outpacing the legal tools available for investigating and prosecuting financial crimes.