*”Frivolous Applications By Courts Contributing To Prolonged Trials” — EFCC Chairman Calls For Benchmarks, Consequences For Misconduct
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The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede, and the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Barrister Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, have commended the National Judicial Council (NJC) for its efforts towards ensuring the speedy adjudication of corruption and financial crimes cases in Nigeria.
The anti-graft chiefs separately gave the commendation on Tuesday (March 3, 2026) and Wednesday (March 4, 2026) in Abuja during the 9th meeting of the Corruption and Financial Crimes Cases Trial Monitoring Committee (COTRIMCO).
While acknowledging the progress made in the prosecution of high-profile corruption cases across the country, both chairmen expressed concern over persistent delays in the trial of such cases and suggested measures to address the challenge.
Olukoyede, who appeared before the Committee on Tuesday, raised concerns over what he described as the liberal exercise of judicial discretion in some sensitive matters.
According to him, the continued consideration of frivolous applications by some courts has contributed significantly to prolonged trials.
He warned that such delays undermine efforts aimed at ensuring timely justice in corruption and financial crimes cases.
The EFCC chairman therefore stressed the need to establish clear benchmarks for acceptable judicial conduct, adding that there should be consequences for misconduct or actions that frustrate the course of justice.
Similarly, the ICPC chairman on Wednesday called for the introduction of a Practice Direction to guide the handling of corruption cases in courts across the country.
Aliyu suggested that corruption trials should be time-bound, similar to election petitions, in order to ensure the speedy resolution of cases.
He noted that countries such as Kenya and Zambia have already adopted practice directions prescribing specific timelines for the trial of corruption cases.
The ICPC boss urged COTRIMCO to develop mechanisms that would strengthen standards in the prosecution of criminal cases and promote consistency in the application of judicial principles.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Committee and a retired Justice of the Supreme Court, Hon. Justice Suleiman Galadima, said the collaboration between the NJC and anti-corruption agencies has continued to yield positive results.
Alluding to remarks made by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, during the 2025/2026 Legal Year ceremony, Hon. Justice Galadima said the partnership between COTRIMCO and the anti-graft agencies has recorded impressive outcomes.
According to him, the EFCC secured 1,417 convictions in the first and second quarters of 2025 alone, while the ICPC initiated 43 new cases and recorded nine convictions during the period under review.
Although Hon. Justice Galadima noted a decline in the number of cases currently being prosecuted by the ICPC, he explained that the development was due to the Commission’s increasing focus on preventive and proactive strategies aimed at curbing corruption before it escalates into prosecutable offences.
He reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to strengthening institutional cooperation in the fight against corruption.
Stakeholders at the meeting also reiterated their commitment to improving efficiency, accountability and integrity in the handling of corruption and financial crimes cases across the country.
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