The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Aliyu (SAN), and the Administrator of the National Judicial Institute (NJI), Justice Babatunde Adejumo, have expressed concern over the slow pace at which courts determine corruption cases in the country.

Justice Kekere-Ekun, Aliyu, and Musa, who called for an urgent reversal of the current trend, argued that prompt determination of corruption cases will not only restore public confidence in the judicial process, but it could also deter those planning to engage in corrupt practices.

The three legal giants spoke in Abuja at a capacity-building workshop jointly organized by the NJI and the ICPC, with the theme: “Reinforcing effective management and trial of corruption cases.”

The CJN, who was represented by Justice John Okoro of the Supreme Court, decried the slow pace at which corruption cases are determined by the nation’s courts.

She argued that the development was capable of eroding public confidence in the Judiciary’s capacity to dispense justice and at the same time, embolden the criminals, who are neck deep in corrupt practices.

CJN said, “A major concern in the adjudication of corruption cases in Nigeria is delay. It is a matter of great regret that many corruption trials drag on for years, sometimes even decades, undermining public confidence in the administration of justice.

“Justice delayed is, indeed, justice denied. Delay in corruption cases breeds doubt, fuels impunity, and creates the perception that corruption pays.

“If the Judiciary is to retain the confidence of the people, we must devise and implement effective strategies to curb unnecessary adjournments, discourage frivolous interlocutory applications, and embrace robust case management practices that ensure trials proceed with speed without sacrificing fairness.

“This calls for a renewal of our commitment to judicial courage and efficiency. Case management powers must be exercised firmly but fairly. Procedural loopholes must not be allowed to become the refuge of the accused.

“At the same time, however, the Judiciary must never lose sight of its sacred duty to uphold the fundamental rights of all persons who come before it.

“The balance between expeditious trial and fair trial is delicate, but it is one we must constantly strive to maintain,” she said.

Justice Kekere-Ekun noted that corruption today is not what it was two or three decades ago, adding that “the advancement of technology, the globalization of financial systems, and the increasing complexity of commercial transactions have created new avenues for corrupt practices.

“Money is laundered through elaborate schemes, assets are concealed across jurisdictions, and digital platforms are exploited to cover illicit dealings.

“The judge, who must preside over corruption cases, cannot afford to remain static. Continuous training, exposure to emerging trends, and familiarity with both local and international instruments against corruption are indispensable.

“Workshops such as this are vital; they serve not only as platforms for knowledge transfer but also as opportunities for introspection and re-commitment.

“With courage, integrity, and steadfast commitment, the Judiciary can and must play its role in expunging corruption from our society,” the CJN said.

Aliyu said the policy of the ICPC under his leadership, which prioritizes corruption prevention while maintaining a strong enforcement focus, has yielded commendable outcomes.

He said, “This strategic shift has already begun to yield positive results in 2024, with the commission blocking over 20 billion naira from reaching the pockets of ghost workers and pensioners.

“Additionally, we initiated a programme, Accountability and Corruption Prevention in Local Government Councils in Nigeria, to enforce the Supreme Court’s decision on local government autonomy.

“In this programme, too, from May 2025 to date, across six states, we recovered more than N2.5 billion in outstanding remittances of tax deductions from ministries overseeing local government affairs on joint projects between local and state governments,” he said.

Aliyu argued the effective administration of justice in corruption cases requires both vigorous law enforcement and scrupulous judicial oversight.

He noted that the recent developments in the fight against corruption necessitate this capacity building to enhance judicial officers’ ability to handle corruption cases with speed and consistency, because the cases were becoming more complex due to rapid technological advancement and societal challenges.

The ICPC boss explained that the expected outcomes of the capacity-building workshop were to enhance judges’ skills, knowledge, and professional ethics in handling corruption cases.

He added that the workshop is equally intended to strengthen institutional performance through practical application of anti-corruption laws and strategies, and foster greater collaboration and innovation between the judiciary and the ICPC, thereby promoting integrity, fairness, and public confidence in the justice system.

Justice Adejumo said the workshop became imperative in view of the deleterious effect of corruption on the nation’s development, noting that “corruption has remained one of the greatest impediments to our national growth and the consolidation of our democratic institutions.

“Its deleterious impact touches every aspect of governance, the economy, and indeed the administration of Justice. For the Judiciary, corruption not only undermines our ability to deliver justice but also erodes the confidence of the very public we are sworn to protect.

“For the fight against corruption to succeed, judicial officers must be properly equipped with the tools, knowledge, and ethical compass required to rise above challenges and discharge this sacred duty with courage and integrity.

“To this end, this workshop is carefully designed to sharpen our skills in handling corruption-related matters.

“It will expose participants to contemporary issues in case management, best practices in the trial of corruption cases, as well as emerging global trends that can guide our local experience.

“Furthermore, it affords us the opportunity to reflect on the peculiar obstacles that impede the effective trial of corruption cases in Nigeria – including delay, procedural bottlenecks, technical objections, and ethical dilemmas- whilst collectively seeking practical solutions,” Justice Adejumo said.

Source; The Nation News