Time Frame on Corruption Cases will boost Anti-Graft War -EFCC
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has described as a great boost to the nation's anti-graft war, the practice directive issued by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Dahiru Musdapher to judges to henceforth conclude all corruption cases filed and/or pending in their courts within six months.
The Commission in a statement on Friday November 11, 2011 issued in response to series of media enquiries seeking its reaction to the development said the directive if strictly adhered to by judges will not only draw to a close the over 75 high profile cases and 1500 others it is presently prosecuting in courts with the attendant effect of reshaping the nation's anti-graft war but will equally reposition the country's reputation in the international community.
The statement which quoted the EFCC chairman, Mrs Farida Waziri as expressing her profound gratitude to the CJN “for being courageous to issue the directive at this critical period in the process of nation building”, said it is a confirmation that the judiciary is responding to the yearnings of the citizenry.
According to the release, “ this directive apparently tallies with the objective of the campaign for the creation of special courts to fast track the trial of corruption cases which the EFCC chairman has vigorously pursued since 2008 in the interest of the nation's socio-economic and political development.
“In response to this development, the Commission is not only ready to prove its cases in all matters it has filed in court, but its chairman has equally issued an immediate directive to put some accused persons and suspects in these matters under strict surveillance to foil any attempt of escape by those who believe their prosecution will never come to an end in their life time.
“The Commission will also want to enjoin all citizens to show greater interest in these cases henceforth with a view to ensure that all stakeholders are put on their toes and report any plot to escape justice. While the Commission remains committed to the successful implementation of the CJN's directive in the interest of justice and the overall interest of the nation, we enjoin all defence counsel in graft cases to see this development as also serving the interest of their clients as justice delayed is justice denied.”