From Godwin Tsa, Abuja
The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen, has directed heads of various divisions of courts to establish a special court for corruption and financial crimes cases.
This, he explained, will curb unnecessary delay associated with the prosecution of such cases.
In addition, the CJN further directed heads of courts to compile and forward to the National Judicial Council (NJC), comprehensive lists of all corruption and financial crime cases they are handling.
Justice Onnoghen disclosed the measures, yesterday, at a special session of the Supreme Court where he administered oath on 29 new Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN).
Speaking in the presence of Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, former Vice President Alex Ekwueme and other dignitaries including state governors and past CJNs, Onnoghen said they were aimed at supporting the fight against corruption of the present administration.
In order for the NJC to monitor and effectively enforce the foregoing policy, the CJN announced that an Anti-Corruption Cases Trial Monitoring Committee will be constituted at the next council meeting.
The committee, he explained, “would be saddled with, among other things the responsibility of ensuring that both Trial and Appellate Courts handling corruption and financial crime cases key into and abide by our renewed efforts at ridding our country of the cankerworm.”
Justice Onnoghen further directed heads of courts to clampdown on both prosecution and defence counsel who indulge in the unethical practice of deploying delay tactics to stall criminal trials.
“Heads of courts are now to report such cases to the NJC which, in turn, would transmit them to the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee, in the case of senior advocates, and Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee in the case of other legal practitioners.
“Heads of courts have been directed to designate in their various jurisdictions, one or more courts, depending on the volume of such cases, as special courts, solely for the purpose of hearing and speedily determining corruption and financial crime cases. Where such cases come on appeal, to either the Court of Appeal or the Supreme Court, special dates, on each week, shall be fixed solely for hearing and determining such appeals.”
The CJN noted that the judiciary cannot win this war alone; hence the need for collaboration and interface with stakeholders in this noble cause.
“We are under no illusion that the fight against corruption would be an easy one, as we are already aware that when you fight corruption, corruption fights back but, we are determined to win it. We require all hands to be on deck to fight this monster. Corruption continues to place the judiciary in the eye of the storm, but, we cannot allow that to deter us or weaken our resolve. It is regrettable that the image of the judiciary has been tarnished by the notion that the Nigerian judiciary is bedeviled by corrupt elements, hence, the need for an image-building parade. We must accept that acts of misconduct of a few rub off on the rest of the judiciary and create the impression that all judicial officers have their hands soiled with the proceeds of corruption. Let me be clear here; it is not going to be business as usual for the few unscrupulous elements in our midst.”
Justice Onnoghen said he is determined to redeem the battered image of the judiciary.
On his part, Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), in his speech at the ceremony, applauded the vigorous process of reforms aimed at re-positioning the judiciary to play its constitutional role in a more humane and efficient manner.
Malami promised to ensure that all executive branch institutions acknowledge and respect the the judiciary.
is pivotal to the maintenance of law and order, and must be fully supported to discharge that mandate.
We, in the judiciary are fully aware and in fact worried by concerns expressed by members of the public on the very slow speed with which corruption cases in particular are being heard or determined by our Courts.
He noted that although the Administration of Criminal Justice Act contains many commendable provisions aimed at speeding up the process of criminal prosecution generally, it is clear that we still need to employ more strategies to support and strengthen this law in fast tracking the criminal justice system.
On his part, the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN) in his speech at the ceremony applauded the vigorous process of reforms aimed at re-positioning the nation’s Judiciary to play its constitutional role in a more humane and efficient manner.
Malami also said that Justice Onnoghen’s Circular on Practice Direction dated May 28, 2017 on the compulsory enforcement of Arbitration provisions in contracts by the courts in order to promote faster commercial dispute resolutions and foster greater confidence in the judicial system by domestic and foreign investors.
The AGF said, the directive will stimulate commercial transaction in Nigeria and also support the vision of the Federal government to promote economic development and growth.
“Directives on designation of special courts solely for the purpose of hearing and speedy determining of corruption cases is highly commendable”, he said and added that the federal government will do whatever it takes within the context of the provided precedent to ensure peace and security of the nation in the sustenance of our democracy.
Malami promised to ensure that all executive branch institutions always acknowledge and respect the fact that the Judiciary is pivotal to the maintenance of law and order, and must be fully supported to discharge that mandate.
Also, Chief T.J Onomigho SAN,who spoke on behalf of the of the Body of SAN’S at the occasion said, the prosecution of many criminal cases in the country keep failing because of the apprehension of witnesses of the danger of appearing openly in court to testify as their safety thereafter may not be guaranteed by the State.
Okpoko who noted that it is the duty of the government to protect lives and properties of its citizens, also observed that current government activities and designed to apprehend criminals instead of preventive measures.
He charged the newly sworn in SAN’S to give total loyalty to the administration of justice, be in words and action and remain dedicated to members of the NBA.