EFCC, NJI Urge Reforms to Curb Delays in Corruption Trials

EFCC, NJI Urge Reforms to Curb Delays in Corruption Trials

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the National Judicial Institute (NJI) have called for legal and procedural reforms to reduce delays and abuse of court processes in the trial of corruption and other economic and financial crimes cases.

The call was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the 8th Capacity Building Workshop for Justices and Judges, held in Abuja from October 13 to 15, 2026, under the theme, “Investigation and Prosecution of Economic and Financial Crimes in a Digital Age.”

The workshop, organised by the EFCC in collaboration with the NJI, brought together judicial officers, investigators and prosecutors from across the country to examine challenges affecting the investigation, prosecution and adjudication of financial crimes.

In the communique, participants recommended the designation of specialised judges and court staff to handle corruption cases, alongside targeted training to promote the efficient, consistent and effective application of existing laws.

They also called for a balance between fairness, efficiency and legal certainty in the criminal justice system, recommending a review of relevant provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), where necessary, to facilitate the speedy administration of justice while protecting individual rights.

Participants further urged investigative and prosecutorial agencies to strengthen investigation standards, including digital evidence management protocols, to ensure that cases are built on credible, reliable and admissible evidence.

On the recording of confessional statements, the communiqué recommended a more coordinated and inclusive approach, including institutionalising video recording and other safeguards to protect suspects’ rights and preserve the integrity of investigations.

The participants also described non-conviction-based asset forfeiture as an effective mechanism for recovering proceeds of crime, stressing that its application must comply with existing laws, human rights standards and strong institutional oversight. They called for procedural reforms to facilitate extensions of time for freezing suspected proceeds of financial crimes.

On the growing use of artificial intelligence in the justice system, the communiqué urged ministries, departments and agencies in the anti-corruption sector to work with the National Assembly and the judiciary to develop governance protocols and policy guidelines for the responsible adoption and deployment of AI in the administration of justice.

The participants also called on relevant stakeholders to familiarise themselves with existing legal frameworks governing the investigation, prosecution and adjudication of cases involving virtual assets. These include the Investment and Securities Act 2025, the Executive Order on Virtual Assets Coordination 2026, the Rules on Digital and Virtual Assets Operations 2026, and the Proceeds of Crime Act 2022.

They emphasised the need for increased investment in digital forensic laboratories, technology infrastructure and specialised training for investigators, prosecutors and judicial officers to keep pace with evolving financial crimes and international best practices.

The communiqué further recommended continuous professional development for judicial officers and anti-corruption personnel, as well as training on the proper use of open-source intelligence. Participants said such intelligence should primarily serve as a source of investigative leads and corroboration, while evidence presented in court must comply with applicable evidential rules.

Subject to legislative review, they proposed that the NJI, in collaboration with the National Judicial Council (NJC), develop accredited certificate and diploma programmes to equip judges and other relevant stakeholders with specialised skills to improve justice delivery.

The workshop also called for sustained cooperation and information-sharing among stakeholders in the administration of criminal justice, particularly on emerging trends in the investigation and prosecution of economic and financial crimes in the digital age.

Participants urged heads of courts to use the workshop’s findings to develop policies clarifying judicial practice on the technical issues discussed.

The three-day workshop featured nine interactive sessions covering the admissibility of confessional statements, reforms to garnishee proceedings, delay tactics and abuse of court processes, non-conviction-based forfeiture, the role of artificial intelligence in investigations and prosecutions, recovery and management of virtual assets, and the use of digital forensics in financial crime cases.

Justices of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal, judges of the Federal High Court, state high courts and the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, alongside other stakeholders from the judiciary and anti-corruption agencies, attended the workshop.

The participants expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, and other stakeholders and organisers who contributed to the workshop’s success.

EFCC, NJI Urge Reforms to Curb Delays in Corruption Trials