The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the National Judicial Institute (NJI) have advocated legal and procedural changes to accelerate the prosecution of corruption and financial crime cases in Nigeria.
The recommendations were contained in a communiqué issued after the eighth capacity-building workshop for justices and judges, jointly organised by the two institutions in Abuja between October 13 and 15.
The workshop, themed “Investigation and Prosecution of Economic and Financial Crimes in a Digital Age”, brought together justices of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal, judges of the Federal High Court and state high courts, alongside EFCC investigators and prosecutors.
Participants called for the designation of specialised judges and court officials to handle corruption cases, noting that regular training would help improve the efficiency and consistency of judicial proceedings.
They also recommended a review of relevant provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) to address procedural bottlenecks while preserving the fundamental rights of defendants.
The communiqué urged law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies to improve investigative standards and digital evidence management to ensure that cases brought before courts are supported by credible and legally admissible evidence.
Participants also proposed making video recordings of confessional statements a standard practice, saying the measure would help protect suspects’ rights and strengthen the credibility of investigations.
On the recovery of proceeds of crime, the workshop recognised non-conviction-based asset forfeiture as an important mechanism for reclaiming stolen assets. However, it stressed that the process must be conducted in accordance with existing laws, human rights principles and appropriate institutional safeguards.
The participants further called for procedural reforms to facilitate extensions of orders freezing assets suspected to be linked to financial crimes.
With digital technology creating new challenges for law enforcement and the courts, the workshop urged the National Assembly, anti-corruption agencies and the judiciary to establish clear guidelines for the use of artificial intelligence in the administration of justice.
It also highlighted the need for greater investment in digital forensic laboratories, modern technological infrastructure and specialised training for judicial officers, investigators and prosecutors.
The communiqué stressed that justice sector stakeholders must strengthen their understanding of legislation governing virtual assets, particularly the Investment and Securities Act 2025 and the Proceeds of Crime Act 2022.
On open-source intelligence, participants recommended its use mainly to generate investigative leads and corroborate evidence, emphasising that materials tendered in court must comply with established rules of evidence.
To improve professional competence across the justice system, the workshop proposed that the NJI, working with the National Judicial Council, introduce accredited certificate and diploma programmes for judges and other justice sector practitioners.
The participants called for stronger and sustained cooperation among relevant institutions to ensure that the justice system can effectively respond to emerging challenges in the investigation and prosecution of economic and financial crimes in the digital era.
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