EFCC chairman, Ibrahim Larmode
The Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, on Thursday told the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to do more diligent investigation and prosecution of cases before charging suspects to court.
Justice Mohammed, while receiving Chairman of the EFCC Mr Ibrahim Larmode and other officials of the commission, said that it is imperative to conduct proper investigation of cases before filing cases in court to avoid turning courts to “holding facilities”.
The CJN said he had observed that the charges filed before the courts against suspects were sometimes numerous and that most of the time there is palpable lack of will to prosecute the cases.
According to him, It is unfortunate the judiciary is at the receiving end of all manner of persecution and condemnation from victims and the public who formed the impression that the courts are denying suspects’ justice.
He said, “To reiterate, if for any reason the prosecution is not ready to proceed with the case, then the matter should not be brought to court at all rather than leaving the public with the impression that the judiciary is not performing its role in curbing corrupt practices in Nigeria.o
The judiciary is required to adjudicate in matters involving corruption where only they are moved to do so. The courts are not intended to descend into the arena. We are not meant to seek out the scourge with a view of stamping it out no matter how much we would have loved to do so.”
