Participants call for caution in granting restraining orders at EFCC-NJI workshop
Judges handling economic and financial crimes in Nigeria have been urged to exercise greater caution when granting restraining orders, particularly in cases involving government officials and suspects under investigation.
The call was made during the 6th Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)-National Judicial Institute (NJI) Capacity Building Workshop for Justices and Judges, which concluded in Abuja on Wednesday.
The workshop, which brought together justices from the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, and high courts, as well as prosecutors, investigators, anti-corruption experts, civil society groups, media executives, and other stakeholders, focused on challenges posed by unjustified restraining orders in the resolution of corruption cases.
In a communique issued at the end of the event, participants highlighted the negative impact of such orders on public trust in the judiciary.
“Courts should be wary of granting unjustified restraining orders issued at the behest of government officials and suspects under investigation, as this can erode public trust and confidence in the judiciary,” the communique stated.
Key recommendations from the workshop included a greater reliance on non-conviction-based asset forfeiture, particularly in the seizure of digital assets, and the appointment of judges with experience in handling financial crimes cases to oversee such matters.
Participants also stressed the need for intelligence-driven investigations, leveraging information technology infrastructure instead of over-reliance on whistleblowers.
The communique further emphasized the importance of collaboration among all stakeholders in the administration of criminal justice in Nigeria. Law enforcement agencies were encouraged to work closely with international bodies such as INTERPOL and AFRIPOL to address cross-border financial crimes more effectively.
Participants also called for a more inclusive approach to handling money laundering and terrorism financing cases, aligning with Nigeria’s risk profile and fostering coordinated efforts.
In addressing the challenges faced in prosecuting financial crimes, participants urged the EFCC to take full advantage of existing fast-track court rules to expedite the trial process.
In addition, they recommended a continuous review of strategies for detecting and investigating financial crimes, along with regular training for judicial officers and staff of anti-corruption agencies on new trends and digital forensics.
The need for strict adherence to the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), which provides a comprehensive framework for criminal justice procedures, was also underscored as vital to the fair administration of justice in Nigeria.
In his closing remarks, EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede expressed gratitude to participants and highlighted Nigeria’s achievements in asset recovery.
“At every international gathering, Nigeria is regarded highly for its record of staggering asset recoveries,” he said, urging continued support from the judiciary in tackling corruption cases.
The workshop, themed “Integrating Stakeholders in Curbing Economic and Financial Crimes”, was declared open by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and attracted a wide array of prominent figures, including former Commonwealth Secretary-General Chief Emeka Anyaoku, Senate President, the President of the Court of Appeal, the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, and the Chief Justice of Nigeria.
