President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has stated that no political ally or government official will be spared if found guilty of corruption or criminal offences under his administration.
He said his government does not shield anyone from investigation or prosecution, insisting that the law must take its full course at all times.
The President made the statement while speaking at the opening session of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and National Judicial Institute (NJI) workshop for justices and judges in Abuja. He was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima.
“There is no person or group who can accuse this administration of shielding political actors on account of their affiliation to this government or the political party. We have allowed both the judiciary and the anti-graft agencies to exercise their constitutional and statutory powers,” Tinubu declared.
Tinubu said his administration is determined to build a Nigeria free of corruption, urging all citizens to do what is right in their respective positions.
He stressed that the country’s moral foundation depends on the integrity of the judicial system.
“We draw our moral distinction as a people from the judiciary, and we owe it the reverence and autonomy to remain the last sanctuary of our collective conscience,” he said.
The head of state also called on judges to remain impartial and incorruptible, warning that society begins to collapse when justice is compromised.
Tinubu revealed that the EFCC “has recorded over 7,000 convictions in the first two years of my administration and recovered assets in excess of N500 billion.”
He added that the recovered proceeds are being channelled into national social investment programmes such as the Students Loan and Consumer Credit Schemes.
The President also highlighted the need for the judiciary to adapt to digital trends, as modern corruption cases now involve complex technology, including cryptocurrency and blockchain-related crimes.
Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, who also spoke at the event, urged judges to deliver justice without fear or favour. She reminded them that the public’s trust in the judiciary depends on fairness and integrity.
In his remarks, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, represented by Chief Whip Mohammed Monguno, assured that the National Assembly will continue to support anti-graft agencies through legislation and oversight.
He noted that fighting corruption requires collaboration among all arms of government.
EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede (SAN), praised the judiciary for its role in supporting the agency’s success, saying “the record of 4,111 convictions and humongous asset recoveries could not have been achieved by a lazy or ineffective judiciary.”
The Administrator of the National Judicial Institute, B.A. Adejumo, said the workshop was part of continuous efforts to strengthen justice delivery in Nigeria, adding that “no nation can develop without tackling corruption.”
The article was originally published on Politics Nigeria.
