In a bit to prevent delay of criminal cases at law court, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Crimes Commission (ICPC), The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), judiciary and other anti-corruption agencies have called for special courts that will be devoted to corruption cases in all states of the federation.
The anti-corruption agencies made this call at the end of a workshop on anti-corruption held recently at Calabar.
speaking on behalf of the ICPC, Head, Legal Unit for ICPC, Okechukwu Igbudu, said there is an acute need for special courts to be established for trying corruption cases.
“most time we have to travel from Abuja to other states to try a case, sometimes the court is over loaded with cases and by the time it gets to you, the court is already tired, this is a big issue for us. The ICPC Act empowers the chief judges of states and the FCT to designate anti-corruption courts, but even in some states were you have such, anti-corruption cases are still not the only case being tried in such courts, so you find out that cases drag on for years”, he said.
Also in agreement, The Head, Media and Publicity, EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, stressed that special courts can help fight corruption through speedy trials and prosecution of corrupt cases. “With special court,s the kind of impediments that cases go through will be removed”, he noted.
The workshop, organized by United Nations Office On Drugs and Crime (UNODC) brought together representatives of various ACAs such as; Special Control Unit on Money Laundering, Federal Ministry of Justice, Public Complaints Commission (PCC), Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Federal High Court (FHC), Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) and the media.
The anti-corruption agencies (ACAs) agreed that the fight against corruption should not be limited to the federal level but should include states and LGAs.
In order for the ACAs to carry out their duties effectively, they agreed that there is need for them to develop strategic communication plans for their operations.
They also saw the need to work with the media in the fight against corruption.
In his address, National Project Officer UNODC, Sylvester Tunde Atere, commended Nigerian government for its anti-corruption policies, but added that the existing legal framework could be improved further specifically in areas relating to preventive action, incentives for reporting, whistle blowing and witness protection).
You can hear the headlines on Breaking Radio
powered by sue.ng a legal search engine