President’s administration will prosecute corrupt judges – AGF

monjola sotubo

January 20, 2016 10:17 AM

The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami said further that such judges would also be forced to forfeit their assets if found guilty.

President Muhammadu Buhari

The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister for Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN) has said that President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration will prosecute judges who are found to be corrupt.

Malami said further that such judges would also be forced to forfeit their assets if found guilty.

The AGF made the comments on Tuesday, January 19, 2016, in Lagos while delivering a paper at the presentation of the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project’s (SERAP) latest report, according to Punch.

“As we may be aware, this administration promised Nigerians that it will promptly address the challenges facing our nation in the three areas of corruption, economy and security. Let no one be in doubt, the legitimate expectation of Nigerians in this regard shall be met,” Malami said.

“In this regard therefore, I am reiterating that the fight against corruption shall be total and will not exclude judicial officers, who are found wanting. After all, it is beyond doubt that a corrupt judge cannot meaningfully contribute to the fight against corruption.

“In reality, it cannot be over-emphasised that systemic corruption and impunity are prevalent in Nigeria, and that they cut across all sectors of the society, unfortunately, including the judiciary – an institution that is universally believed to be the hope of the common man.

“Ideally, the judiciary in a democratic state ought to be accountable less to public opinion and more to public interest. It should discharge its constitutional roles by being principled, independent and impartial," he added.

Buhari had recently urged the judiciary to support the anti-corruption war by speeding up the trial of those charged with looting of public funds.

monjola sotubo