Tinubu urges judiciary to intensify anti-corruption efforts as EFCC convicts 7,000, recovers ₦500bn
By Kunle Sanni –
President Bola Tinubu has called on the Nigerian judiciary to remain steadfast, impartial, and incorruptible in the delivery of justice, warning that societal decay begins when those entrusted with interpreting the law become compromised.
Speaking at the opening of a joint workshop organized by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the National Judicial Institute (NJI) for justices and judges in Abuja, the President—represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima—reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening judicial independence through improved welfare and working conditions for judicial officers.
“We draw our moral distinction as a people from the judiciary, and we owe it the reverence and autonomy to remain the last sanctuary of our collective conscience,” President Tinubu said.
The President addressed public concerns over delays in adjudicating high-profile corruption cases, contrasting them with the faster resolution of cybercrime cases. He acknowledged the frustration of Nigerians over judgments that appear to favour the powerful, stressing the need for consistency and fairness in justice delivery.
Tinubu, however, defended his government’s non-interference stance in the judiciary and anti-graft agencies, saying no political actor has been shielded from prosecution based on party affiliation.
“There is no person or group who can accuse this administration of shielding political actors on account of their affiliation to this government or the political party. We have allowed both the judiciary and the anti-graft agencies to exercise their constitutional and statutory powers,” he said.
The President also revealed that the EFCC secured over 7,000 convictions and recovered assets worth ₦500 billion within the first two years of his administration. According to him, the recovered funds are being channelled into social programmes, including the Students Loan Scheme and the Consumer Credit Initiative.
On technological advancements in financial crimes, Tinubu urged judicial officers to continuously update their knowledge to meet the demands of the digital age.
