At EFCC-NJI workshop, President calls for stronger case management and scrutiny of legal procedures exploited to delay corruption trials.
President Bola Tinubu has urged judges and justice-sector institutions to strengthen their response to increasingly sophisticated financial crimes, arguing that anti-corruption efforts cannot succeed without an independent and capable judiciary.
Tinubu’s message was delivered by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the eighth capacity-building workshop organized by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the National Judicial Institute in Abuja. The programme focused on investigating and prosecuting economic offenses in a digital environment.
The President said artificial intelligence, blockchain-based transactions and cross-border financial networks were changing the methods available to offenders. He called for continuous judicial education and for careful examination of prosecution practices, outdated procedures and legal gaps that can contribute to avoidable delays.
Tinubu argued that anti-corruption enforcement must be viewed as a responsibility shared by all arms of government rather than a programme belonging solely to the executive. He also urged courts to remain alert to attempts to manipulate procedure while upholding their constitutional duties.
Citing EFCC activities, the President referred to the forfeiture of cryptocurrency and other digital assets, including Bitcoin worth $22,417.91, 1,001,301.87 USDT and $5.6 million linked to the CBEX scheme. He also referred to the prosecution and deportation of 192 foreign nationals in cybercrime-related cases. These figures were presented as administration claims at the workshop.
Chief Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun emphasized the importance of judicial training and disciplined case management, particularly when digital evidence is involved. Senate anti-corruption committee chairman Emmanuel Udende pledged legislative support, while Attorney-General Lateef Fagbemi, represented by Rotimi Oyedepo, called for closer coordination among investigators, prosecutors and courts.
EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede said emerging technology was placing pressure on existing enforcement and prosecution systems. He argued that legal institutions must adapt at a pace consistent with developments in financial crime.
The discussions highlighted a central challenge: making complex corruption cases more efficient without weakening due process, judicial independence or the presumption of innocence.
