How Judges are disappointing my administration – Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday decried the slow pace of corruption cases in courts initiated by his administration, saying the speed did not meet the expectations of the government and public. He alleged that some Judges are allowing lawyers to frustrate speedy determination of the cases before them. President Buhari stated this in Abuja at the opening of a twoday seminar for judges in the country.
He said that despite the application of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act of 2015 (ACJA), which encourages speedy trial of cases, “corruption cases filed by government are not progressing as speedily as they should.” He said that things “certainly needs to change if we are to make success in our collective effort in the fight against corruption.”
Buhari explained that he had made the fight against corruption one of the top priorities in the hope of restoring the economy and building a new Nigeria. He said that in the face of dwindling revenues and efforts to repositioning Nigeria’s economy, it became obligatory to swiftly tackle two ills; waste and corruption. “I am worried that the expectation of the public is yet to be met by the judiciary with regard to the removal of delay and the toleration of delay tactics by lawyers.”
Earlier in his remark, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mahmud Mohammed has assured that judges would no longer strike out or dismiss corruption related cases on from court list for want of diligent prosecution by the government. Justice Mohammed said that Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, which is now in use had removed the issues of technicalities that had stalled the trial of high profile graft cases in the past.
The Act, he said had barred the entertainment of interlocutory applications by any court, limited the number of adjournments that a court may grant, provides for a day-to-day trial until conclusion of the case and permits trial in absentia, among others. He also blamed lack of political will for poor prosecution of corruption cases. He added that “we are determined not to strike out or dismiss or discharge and acquit accused persons without trial.”
Judges determination, justice Mohammed, explained why these cases remained on the list for many years in the past. He further disclosed that “most Judiciaries have designated judges and/or courts that are dedicated to the hearing and determination of economic crimes and corruption matters.” These measures, he said were taken by judiciaries to hasten the hearing of corruption cases, given its prevalence, seriousness and potential impact on our dear Country.
Justice Mohammed said he sees corruption as a threat to the legitimacy of constitutional governance and democracy, which no single magical solution can effectively eradicate. “Hence, we must do our part and act now. Our actions must be concrete, ethical and time-bound, as are necessary to ensure an efficient and effective justice system.”
