EFCC, NJI, and Stakeholders Call for Legislation to Combat Unexplained Wealth

In a unified effort to bolster the fight against corruption and financial impropriety in Nigeria, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the National Judicial Institute (NJI), and key stakeholders have issued a resounding call for comprehensive legislation to address the issue of unexplained wealth within the country.

This imperative plea emerged from a Communique jointly issued on Thursday, October 5, 2023, at the conclusion of the 5th EFCC-NJI Capacity Building Workshop for Justices and Judges, held at the NJI headquarters in Jabi, Abuja. The Communique underscores the urgent need for the enactment of legislation to combat the possession of unexplained wealth or assets.

During the 7th Session of the Workshop, Mr. Wahab Shittu, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), highlighted the glaring absence of legislation in Nigeria to tackle the issue of unexplained wealth, a legal vacuum not witnessed in many other nations such as the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, and Kenya. Mr. Shittu remarked, “In Nigeria, the issue of unexplained wealth has long been a cause of concern. Extravagant lifestyles and opulent possessions that appear incongruent with declared incomes have triggered inquiries into the sources of such wealth.” In response to this pressing concern, the Workshop collectively called upon the National Assembly to expedite the formulation of legislation to address this matter.

The Communique also addresses various other critical issues, including the necessity for enhanced training programs for judicial officers and personnel of anti-corruption agencies. This training aims to equip them with the knowledge and skills required to navigate the intricate processes of asset tracing and seizures, plea bargaining, cryptocurrency regulations, data protection, artificial intelligence, and the evolving landscape of economic and financial crimes.

Furthermore, the Communique advocates for the full implementation of the Proceeds of Crime (Recovery and Management) Act, 2022, to ensure that individuals do not benefit from the proceeds of their criminal activities. It also underscores the importance of developing a comprehensive Whistle-Blower and Witness Protection Act to facilitate the investigation and prosecution of corruption cases by relevant agencies.

Participants in the three-day Workshop included esteemed jurists, including Justices of the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal, and Judges of the Federal and State High Courts. Distinguished senior members of the legal profession, including Senior Advocates of Nigeria, also participated, alongside investigators and prosecutors from across the nation. The Workshop concluded by calling on members of the National Assembly and the Nigerian Bar Association to join future discussions, as the topics addressed have far-reaching implications for their constituents.

Under the theme “Consolidating on the Gains in the Fight Against Economic and Financial Crimes in Nigeria,” the Workshop was officially inaugurated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, with the presence of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, and other eminent dignitaries. This collaborative effort underscores the commitment of Nigeria’s legal and judicial institutions to combat corruption and uphold the rule of law in the nation.