A Presiding Judge at the Court of Appeal, Sokoto Division, Justice Muhammad Lawal Shuaibu, has called on anti-corruption agencies to focus their efforts on high-profile individuals involved in corrupt practices instead of concentrating primarily on “yahoo boys.”
Justice Shuaibu made this appeal on Monday during the opening session of the North West Zonal Attorney General’s Anti-Corruption Forum. The event, organised by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, was supported by the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption programme, the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, and funded by the European Union.
In his address, Justice Shuaibu underscored the importance of prioritising significant cases to foster societal stability. He said, “At the NJI, I criticised the EFCC Chairman, though we disagreed. Since 2007, when I stopped handling corruption trials, I can’t recall a significant case. Now the focus is on yahoo boys. I implore all of you to target the bigger fish. Only then will we have a stable society.”
The judge expressed frustration at the re-emergence of corrupt individuals in positions of authority, sharing an instance of a current governor who had previously been imprisoned under his judicial oversight. He called for greater cooperation between state and federal agencies to address such anomalies.
Justice Shuaibu also criticised judges who issue ex parte orders to shield individuals with immunity from investigation. “People with immunity can still be invited and investigated,” he insisted, urging a stronger judicial stance against corrupt practices.
The Chief Judge of Kano State, Justice Dije Aboki, supported Shuaibu’s position, calling on anti-corruption agencies to expose malfeasance at all levels, irrespective of the individuals’ influence or status.
The ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Aliyu SAN, reassured participants that the commission was committed to pursuing high-profile cases. He stressed the importance of leveraging technology to enhance the justice system and expedite corruption trials.
Dr. Aliyu further advocated for the urgent passage of the Whistleblower Protection Act, stating that it would be a game-changer in the fight against corruption by safeguarding whistleblowers and ensuring the exposure of corrupt practices.
Representing the European Union and RoLAC, Mr. Emmanuel Uche emphasised the need to expand collaboration with state Attorneys General. He highlighted the role of such partnerships in bolstering Nigeria’s anti-corruption drive and achieving tangible results.
The forum served as a platform for stakeholders to deliberate on strategies to tackle corruption more effectively, with an emphasis on addressing systemic issues and promoting accountability.
