TINUBU TO JUDICIARY: SEAL LOOPHOLES CRIMINALS EXPLOIT TO ESCAPE JUSTICE

President Bola Tinubu has asked the Judiciary to dismantle procedural loopholes and flawed prosecution tactics that allow offenders to escape justice, warning that no well-connected individual should be able to manipulate technicalities to evade the law.

The Tinubu judiciary seal loopholes directive was delivered on Tuesday at the annual EFCC/NJI Capacity Building Workshop for Judges and Justices in Abuja, where the President was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima.

THE PRESIDENT’S CHARGE

Tinubu urged the judiciary to interrogate existing statutory frameworks in view of emerging financial crimes.

“Probe prosecution strategies, dismantle outdated precedents, and seal procedural gaps that politically exposed persons and organised crime actors exploit to delay or frustrate trial,” he said.

He demanded an aggressive overhaul of the justice system to ensure that no well-connected individual can manipulate technicalities to evade the full weight of the law.

“Corruption is a battle for the nation’s collective survival. We must no longer permit legal pyrotechnics and procedural pedantry to shelter criminality. The Bench is not merely a mechanical arbiter of rules, but an active guardian of moral order and social equity,” Tinubu said.

“Law is, by design, an instrument of social engineering; it must invariably prioritise the public good over narrow, selfish interests shielded by technical manoeuvres. Our courts must embody the spirit, and not just the arid letter, of the law”.

He maintained that there would be no meaningful progress in uprooting graft “without an independent, progressive, and reform-minded Bench” .

THE DIGITAL-AGE CHALLENGE

Tinubu commended the EFCC for convening the 8th edition of the Judges and Justices Workshop, themed “Investigation and Prosecution of Economic and Financial Crimes in a Digital Age”.

He described the workshop as timely in fostering the institutional cohesion required to confront corruption’s changing architecture in Nigeria.

“My Lords, we confront a rapidly shifting criminal landscape. Technology has amplified the audacity and reach of illicit actors, ushering in sophisticated crimes driven by destructive ingenuity. The rise of blockchain technology and artificial intelligence has introduced unprecedented layers of complexity to traditional illicit activities,” he said .

“Because these modern crimes constantly mutate, law enforcement and judicial authorities must continuously build capacity to adapt and respond effectively”.

THE EFCC’S RECORD

Tinubu cited the EFCC’s recent momentum in tackling cryptocurrency fraud and recovering virtual assets.“In 2025, the agency secured the forfeiture of $22,417.91 worth of Bitcoin; 1,001,301.87 USDT in digital assets; and US$5.6 million linked to the CBEX scheme, while 192 foreigners arrested for cyber-terrorism and cryptocurrency fraud were successfully prosecuted and deported afterwards,” he said.

He said the EFCC’s actions showed an agency that is proactive, forward-looking and resolved not to be outpaced by technological innovation, while the judiciary must complement law enforcement by rapidly upscaling its capacity.

THE CJN’S POSITION

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Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, said the workshop demonstrated the NJI’s and EFCC’s commitment to addressing challenges confronting stakeholders in the justice system .

She said technological developments had transformed how digital evidence was obtained and recorded, requiring appropriate judicial responses. She stressed that effective criminal justice administration in the digital era required firm and disciplined case management .

WHY IT MATTERS

Nigeria’s anti-corruption fight has long been hampered by delays, technicalities and the ability of well-connected defendants to exploit procedural loopholes. The President’s demand for judicial reform is a recognition that the problem is not only with investigators but with the courts as well.

Whether the judiciary heeds the call remains to be seen. But the message is clear: the executive branch wants the judiciary to be a partner in the fight, not an obstacle. ValidViewNetwork reports that the workshop continues.