- Tinubu praised the EFCC’s independence and efficiency in fighting corruption, saying his administration will continue to strengthen anti-graft institutions.
- He revealed that proceeds from recovered assets are being used to fund key social programmes like the Students’ Loan and Consumer Credit schemes.
- The President urged the judiciary to support the anti-corruption fight by delivering fair and timely judgments in financial crime cases.
- EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede lamented the slow pace of corruption trials and called for stronger collaboration between the bench and anti-graft agencies.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has applauded the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) under the leadership of Ola Olukoyede for showing remarkable independence and efficiency in Nigeria’s ongoing anti-corruption campaign.
Speaking through Vice President Kashim Shettima at the 7th EFCC–National Judicial Institute (NJI) Capacity Building Workshop for Justices and Judges in Abuja on Monday, Tinubu said his administration remains committed to empowering anti-corruption bodies with full autonomy and adequate resources.
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He disclosed that within two years, the EFCC had recorded over 7,000 convictions and recovered assets valued at more than N500 billion. According to him, funds recovered by the Commission are being channelled into vital social welfare programmes, including the Students’ Loan and Consumer Credit schemes.
“As an administration, we have prioritised public accountability by strengthening anti-corruption agencies and giving them the independence to execute their statutory mandates,” Tinubu stated.
The President emphasised that the judiciary plays a crucial role in sustaining the nation’s anti-corruption efforts. He urged judges to ensure that justice in corruption-related cases is both fair and timely, warning that failure to do so could erode public trust.
“A Nigeria free of corruption is possible if we all commit to doing what is right and ensuring that those who deviate from the norm are held accountable,” he said.
Tinubu also warned that corruption continues to pose a serious threat to Nigeria’s growth and stability. He called for deeper cooperation between judges and anti-graft agencies to rebuild public confidence in the justice system.
In his remarks, EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede acknowledged the judiciary’s vital contribution to accountability but expressed concern over the slow pace of corruption trials, especially high-profile cases that have lingered for years.
“The milestones we have recorded are often overshadowed by public concern over the pace of high-profile cases. Some cases filed 15 or 20 years ago remain unresolved due to procedural delays and frivolous adjournments,” he said.
Olukoyede criticised the misuse of legal processes by defendants seeking to frustrate trials, warning that such tactics weaken justice delivery and embolden corruption.
“When trials drag endlessly, witnesses lose interest, memories fade, and public trust erodes. In the end, corruption becomes the only winner,” he lamented.
He also expressed worry about conflicting court rulings and ex parte orders that undermine the EFCC’s authority in financial crime investigations.
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“The Commission is disturbed by instances where state high courts attempt to restrict our powers in money laundering cases, even when such matters clearly fall outside their jurisdiction,” he said.
Olukoyede called on judges to prioritise national interest and ensure that their decisions support the country’s collective effort to eradicate corruption, stressing that effective collaboration between the judiciary and the EFCC remains essential to achieving justice and accountability.
