NJC appoints judge to lead monitoring of corruption cases

The National Judicial Council (NJC) appointed

According to a statement issued by the NJC's Director of Information, Soji Oye, the decision was made at the 82nd meeting of the council held in Abuja on Wednesday, September 27, 2017.

Under the leadership of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen, the council cleared the former President of the Court of Appeal who had retired under controversial circumstances during former President Goodluck Jonathan's tenure.

Other members of the committee include Chief Judge of Borno state, Justice Kashim Zannah; the Chief Judge of Imo state, Justice P.O. Nnadi; the Chief Judge of Delta state, Justice Marsahal Umukoro; the Chief Judge of Oyo state, Justice M. L. Abimbola; President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Abubakar Mahmoud (SAN); former NBA President, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN); and another former NBA president, Mr. Olisa Agbakoba (SAN).

Others are former NBA presidents Mr. Joseph Daudu (SAN) and Mr. Augustine Alegeh (SAN); NJC members, Dr. Garba Tetengi (SAN) and Mrs. R.I Inga; NJC Secretary, Gambo Saleh; representative of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Olanrewaju Suraju; representative of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Alhaji Kabiru Alkali Mohammed; and representative of the Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Hajara Yusuf.

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The committee is charged with conducting regular monitoring and evaluation of proceedings at designated courts for financial and economic crimes throughout the country.

Onnoghen directed all heads of courts to compile and forward comprehensive lists of corruption and financial crime cases before them to National Judicial Council (NJC).

He said where such cases came on appeal to the Court of Appeal or the Supreme Court, special dates should be fixed for them every week.

He also directed heads of courts to clamp down on both prosecution and defence counsel who indulged in delay tactics to stall criminal trials.