The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the National Judicial Institute (NJI) have called for legal and procedural reforms to address delays and abuse of court processes in the prosecution of corruption and other economic and financial crimes.
The recommendation was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the 8th Capacity Building Workshop for Justices and Judges, held in Abuja from October 13 to 15, 2026.
The workshop, organised by the EFCC in collaboration with the NJI, had the theme, “Investigation and Prosecution of Economic and Financial Crimes in a Digital Age.” It brought together Justices and Judges from across the country, as well as EFCC investigators and prosecutors.
Participants recommended the designation of specialised judges and court personnel to handle corruption cases, alongside targeted training to improve the efficiency and consistency of judicial proceedings.
They stated that delays in resolving corruption cases could be significantly reduced by equipping designated judges and courts with the skills required to apply existing laws efficiently and consistently.
The communiqué also called for a balance between protecting individual rights and ensuring the speedy administration of justice, recommending a review of relevant provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act where necessary.
On investigations and prosecutions, participants urged anti-corruption agencies to strengthen investigative standards and digital evidence management protocols to ensure that cases are built on credible, reliable and admissible evidence.
They also advocated a more coordinated approach to obtaining confessional statements, including institutionalising video recording and other safeguards to protect suspects’ rights and preserve the integrity of investigations.
The workshop further identified Non-Conviction Based Asset Forfeiture as an effective mechanism for recovering stolen assets but stressed that its application must comply with existing laws, human rights standards and strong institutional oversight.
Participants also called for procedural reforms to provide for extensions of time for freezing suspected proceeds of financial crimes.
On the use of emerging technologies, the communiqué recommended that Ministries, Departments and Agencies in the anti-corruption sector, working with the National Assembly and the judiciary, develop governance protocols and policy guidelines for the adoption and deployment of artificial intelligence in the administration of justice.
Stakeholders were also urged to familiarise themselves with existing laws and regulations governing the investigation, prosecution and adjudication of financial crimes involving virtual assets.
The instruments identified included the Investment and Securities Act 2025, the Executive Order on Virtual Assets Coordination 2026, the Rules on Digital and Virtual Assets Operations 2026 and the Proceeds of Crime Act 2022.
The communiqué highlighted the need for increased investment in digital forensic laboratories, technology infrastructure and specialised training for investigators, prosecutors and judicial officers to strengthen the handling of complex financial crime cases.
Participants further recommended continuous professional development for judicial officers and anti-corruption agency personnel to keep their knowledge and skills aligned with emerging crime patterns and international best practices.
They said investigators, prosecutors and judicial officers should be trained to treat open-source intelligence primarily as a source of investigative leads and corroboration, while ensuring that evidence presented in court complies with applicable evidential rules.
Subject to the need for legislative review, the NJI, in collaboration with the National Judicial Council, was also urged to develop accredited certificate and diploma programmes to equip judges and other relevant stakeholders with specialised skills to improve justice delivery.
The communiqué called for sustained cooperation and information-sharing among institutions involved in the administration of criminal justice, particularly on emerging trends in the investigation and prosecution of economic and financial crimes in the digital age.
Heads of courts were also urged to use insights from the workshop to develop policies clarifying judicial practice on the technical issues discussed.
The three-day workshop featured nine interactive sessions covering the admissibility of confessional statements in criminal trials, reforms to garnishee proceedings, delay tactics and abuse of court processes, non-conviction-based asset forfeiture, artificial intelligence in investigations and prosecutions, the recovery and management of virtual assets, and the use of digital forensics in financial crime cases.
Attendees included Justices of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal, judges of the Federal High Court, State High Courts and the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, alongside other stakeholders in the judiciary and anti-corruption sector.
Participants expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who was represented at the workshop by Vice-President Kashim Shettima, as well as the organisers and other stakeholders who contributed to its success.
