RismadarVoice Reporters
October 15, 2026
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the National Judicial Institute (NJI) have called for reforms to Nigeria’s criminal justice system to reduce delays in corruption trials, strengthen investigations and improve the prosecution of economic and financial crimes.
The recommendations were contained in a communiqué issued at the conclusion of the eighth Capacity Building Workshop for Justices and Judges, held in Abuja from October 13 to 15, 2026.
The three-day workshop, jointly organised by the EFCC and NJI, focused on the theme, “Investigation and Prosecution of Economic and Financial Crimes in a Digital Age.”
It brought together justices of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal, judges of federal and state courts, investigators, prosecutors and other stakeholders in the administration of justice.
Participants recommended the designation of specialised judges and court personnel to handle corruption cases, alongside improved training and institutional support to ensure more consistent application of existing laws.
They maintained that strengthening judicial capacity would help address prolonged trials, procedural delays and the misuse of court processes.
The communiqué also called for a review of relevant provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) to improve efficiency while safeguarding defendants’ constitutional rights.
Participants emphasised that efforts to accelerate criminal proceedings must not undermine fairness, due process or legal certainty.
On investigations, the workshop recommended stronger evidence-gathering standards, particularly in the collection, preservation and presentation of digital evidence.
It advocated improved digital forensic capabilities and the institutionalisation of video recording during the taking of confessional statements to protect suspects’ rights and strengthen the credibility of investigations.
The participants also identified non-conviction-based asset forfeiture as an important mechanism for recovering proceeds of financial crimes, while stressing that such proceedings must comply with existing laws, human rights protections and institutional oversight requirements.
They recommended procedural changes to facilitate extensions of orders freezing assets suspected to be proceeds of financial crimes, subject to appropriate legal safeguards.
AI, DIGITAL EVIDENCE AND VIRTUAL ASSETS
The workshop called for the development of governance frameworks regulating the use of artificial intelligence in criminal investigations, prosecutions and judicial proceedings.
It urged relevant ministries, departments and agencies to collaborate with the National Assembly and the judiciary in establishing policies for the responsible deployment of AI within the justice system.
Participants also highlighted the growing complexity of financial crimes involving cryptocurrencies and other virtual assets.
They recommended improved understanding and application of relevant legislation and regulatory frameworks, including the Investments and Securities Act 2025, the Proceeds of Crime Act 2022 and applicable virtual-asset regulations.
The communiqué stressed the importance of investing in digital forensic laboratories, modern investigative technology and specialised training for judicial officers, investigators and prosecutors.
It further advised that open-source intelligence should primarily support investigative leads and corroboration, with any material presented in court subjected to established rules of evidence.
SPECIALISED JUDICIAL TRAINING
Participants proposed that the NJI, working with the National Judicial Council (NJC), develop accredited certificate and diploma programmes to improve judicial competence in complex financial crime proceedings, subject to any necessary legislative changes.
They also called for sustained collaboration among law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, courts and regulatory institutions to strengthen information sharing and responses to emerging financial crime trends.
Heads of courts were encouraged to consider policies addressing technical and procedural challenges identified during the workshop.
The programme featured nine interactive sessions covering confessional statements, garnishee proceedings, abuse of court processes, asset forfeiture, artificial intelligence, virtual assets and digital forensic investigations.
Participants also acknowledged President Bola Tinubu, who was represented by Vice-President Kashim Shettima, alongside the judicial officers, institutions and other stakeholders involved in the workshop.
The recommendations are intended to guide future legislative, administrative and institutional reforms. Their implementation would require action by the relevant authorities.
