EFCC, ICPC Sound Alarm Over Court Delays In Corruption Trials, Back NJC Reforms

The chairmen of Nigeria’s two leading anti-corruption agencies have commended the National Judicial Council (NJC) for steps taken to speed up the prosecution of corruption and financial crimes cases, while cautioning that unnecessary courtroom delays still threaten the fight against graft.

Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, and Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, gave the commendation during the 9th meeting of the Corruption and Financial Crimes Cases Trial Monitoring Committee (COTRIMCO) held in Abuja on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Both anti-graft chiefs acknowledged progress made in prosecuting high-profile corruption cases nationwide but expressed concern over persistent delays in the courts.

Speaking before the committee on Tuesday, Olukoyede pointed to what he described as the liberal use of judicial discretion in certain sensitive cases. According to him, the willingness of some courts to entertain frivolous applications has significantly slowed down trials.

He warned that such practices risk undermining efforts to ensure swift justice in corruption and financial crimes cases. Olukoyede also called for clear benchmarks to guide judicial conduct in such matters, stressing that there must be consequences for actions that frustrate the course of justice.

On Wednesday, Aliyu echoed similar concerns and proposed a structural solution. He suggested the introduction of a Practice Direction to guide how corruption cases are handled in courts across the country.

The ICPC chairman argued that corruption trials should have clearly defined timelines, much like election petitions, to prevent cases from dragging on indefinitely. He noted that countries such as Kenya and Zambia have already adopted similar measures that prescribe timelines for corruption trials.

Aliyu also urged COTRIMCO to develop mechanisms that would strengthen standards in criminal prosecutions and promote greater consistency in the application of judicial principles.

In his remarks, the chairman of the committee and retired Supreme Court justice, Suleiman Galadima, said the collaboration between the NJC and anti-corruption agencies has continued to produce encouraging results.

Citing comments made by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, during the 2025/2026 legal year ceremony, Galadima said the partnership between COTRIMCO and anti-graft bodies has delivered measurable outcomes.

According to him, the EFCC recorded 1,417 convictions in the first and second quarters of 2025 alone, while the ICPC filed 43 new cases and secured nine convictions during the same period.

Galadima noted, however, that the number of ongoing prosecutions by the ICPC has declined. He explained that the shift reflects the commission’s growing focus on preventive and proactive strategies designed to stop corruption before it escalates into criminal offences.

He reaffirmed the council’s commitment to deepening institutional cooperation in the fight against corruption.

Participants at the meeting also pledged to strengthen efficiency, accountability and integrity in the handling of corruption and financial crimes cases across Nigeria.