Musa Aliyu, Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), has urged the Nigerian judiciary to ensure greater speed and consistency in the adjudication of corruption cases, describing it as crucial to sustaining public confidence in the fight against graft.
According to a statement by Demola Bakare, ICPC Spokesperson, Aliyu made the call on Monday at the opening of a two-day capacity-building workshop for judicial officers, organised by the ICPC in collaboration with the National Judicial Institute (NJI), in Abuja.
The ICPC boss emphasised that while law enforcement agencies have a duty to pursue offenders, the judiciary’s efficiency in handling corruption-related trials determines whether justice truly prevails.
“The effective administration of justice in corruption cases requires both vigorous law enforcement and scrupulous judicial oversight.
“This programme directly supports ICPC’s Strategic Action Plan (2024–2028), which prioritizes collaboration with the judiciary to strengthen the fight against corruption”, he stated.
Aliyu explained that corruption cases in Nigeria are becoming more sophisticated due to advances in technology and the changing methods of financial crimes, making it imperative for judicial officers to continually upgrade their knowledge and skills.
Linking the initiative to his CARE for Impact policy, which focuses on prevention, enforcement, and systemic reform, he said the Commission’s efforts had already recorded measurable gains.
“These include preventing the diversion of over ₦20 billion meant for ghost workers and recovering ₦2.5 billion in local government remittances across six states”, he added.
Delivering a lecture entitled “Fair Trials: Balancing the Statutory Powers of Law Enforcement with Judicial Powers in Adjudicating Corruption Cases,” Aliyu said the true measure of justice lies not merely in convictions, but in fairness, integrity, and fidelity to the rule of law.
“Justice in corruption cases lies in upholding fairness, integrity, and strict adherence to the rule of law,” he affirmed.
He also reminded participants that both the ICPC and the judiciary share a constitutional mandate under Section 15(5) of the 1999 Constitution to abolish corrupt practices and abuse of power.
“The synergy between law enforcement and the courts remains the cornerstone of a justice system where no one is above the law, no one is beneath its protection, and where the fight against corruption is pursued with both strength and fairness,” Aliyu added.
The two-day workshop, jointly organised with the NJI, is part of ICPC’s broader strategy to enhance integrity, accountability, and efficiency in Nigeria’s justice sector.
