Executive Chairman Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Abdulrasheed Bawa has expressed concerns over corruption cases being lost to technicalities at various levels of court in the country.
He said such developments may serve as a disincentive to the fight against economic and financial crimes.
He stated this Monday in Abuja while speaking at a three- day capacity building workshop, themed; “Judicial Dynamism: A Key Factor in the Fight Against Economic and Financial Crimes,” organised for judicial officers, corruption investigators and prosecutors.
According to him, corruption cases being lost on technical grounds had a way of building confidence in corrupt elements and negatively affecting the cherished image of the judiciary.
“As a Commission, we do not expect every judicial decision to go our way, but there are instances the EFCC and many Nigerians have been left at a loss about certain judicial decisions, where defendants who obviously have stolen our commonwealth and those who have aided and abetted them have been allowed to go home to enjoy their proceeds of crime on technical grounds. This has the tendency of affecting negatively the cherished image of and confidence in the Nigerian judiciary both locally and internationally.
“In the Commission, we hold the view that corruption is a plague that does not select its victims. Those stealing and abusing our common patrimony do not wish us well. Judges are as much victims of corruption as the ordinary man on the streets. It is therefore in our collective interest that the gains of the fight against corruption are not reversed. This is also why we must aggregate fresh opinions and forge deliberate winning tactics and strategies to stem its ugly tide,” he said.
Impact
Reviewing the impact of the EFCC in the fight against economic and financial crimes in its 19 years of existence, the EFCC boss stressed that the Commission had carved a niche for itself with numerous milestones to its name.
“However, in the little over a year that I have had the privilege to superintend, the Commission secured an unprecedented record of 2220 convictions. It is the highest ever in the history of the Commission and as I address you this morning, we have already secured 1222 convictions, thus far, this year”, he said.
While commending the judiciary for its role in making the convictions record possible, the EFCC chairman advocated for an enhanced welfare package for Judges and Justices.
Bawa also commended President Muhammadu Buhari for signing into law the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022, the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 and the Proceeds of Crime (Recovery and Management, Act, 2022, expressing optimism that the new laws would serve as significant legal instruments that would further strengthen and deepen the anti-corruption war.
Buhari
On the issue of corruption cases being lost on technical ground, President Muhammadu Buhari said it is an issue generating concern among Nigerians. “Every corruption case lost on technical ground raises questions about judicial commitment to the fight against corruption….
“Perpetrators of corruption, economic and financial crimes should not be allowed to escape the justice they deserve on grounds of technicalities and conservatism. The judiciary should not see itself or act as mere spectators or bystanders whilst criminals exploit mere technicalities to escape with our commonwealth, get bolder and embolden others to continue in the unwholesome act of corruption,” he said.
The President, who spoke at the event through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Mr. Boss Mustapha, charged judicial officers to “consciously aim to plug loopholes being exploited in our laws by critical elements in our midst”.
In his goodwill message, Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, commended the EFCC and the National Judicial Institute (NJI) for collaborating over the years in building capacity for judicial officers.
Malami said technological advancements and globalisation had made it imperative for law enforcement agencies and the judiciary to be up to date with emerging trends.