Nigeria is not relenting in its fight against corruption as Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen, reveals that 1,124 cases are trailed before courts across the country.
Justice Onnoghen, made this known at the inauguration of the Corruption and Other Financial Cases Trial Monitoring Committee (COTRIMCO), at the NJC complex in Abuja, reiterating that the Judiciary is determined to eradicate corruption in the country.
He added that corruption in Nigeria is having a negative effect on the socio-economic developments of the country which cannot be swept under the carpet.
“To say that corruption is largely responsible for our Nation’s retarded development, and for so many other ills bedevilling us as a society, is to state the obvious.”
The CJN noted that through quick and unbiased judgements of graft cases, they can win back the confidence of the people which prompted a 15-member committee to come up with strategies to eliminate delays and ensure speedy disposal of corruption cases.
He stated that the committee is to “Propose a practice direction for consideration in order to complement the Administration of Criminal Justice Act and serve as a guide to supplicable rules in all courts designated for corruption cases.
“Needless to say, that the Nation expects so much from this committee, going by the avalanche of positive responses and commendations that have greeted its setting up.
“We therefore must do all we can to justify this high level of public confidence reposed in the committee.”
The Justice also ordered Head of Courts to compile and submit all corruption cases being handled by their various jurisdictions.
Chairman of the Committee, Justice Suleiman Galadima, promised the CJN that the committee would carry out their duty effectively, with utmost sense of responsibility.
The Former President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Ayo Salami, was called upon to head the Committee but he declined.
Explaining his rejection in a letter to the CJN, he stated that personal relationships, divided interest, antecedents of some lawyers among others, as the reasons for his rejection.