EFCC: The Judiciary Is Holding Us Back

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), yesterday stated that the greatest challenge the commission is facing is the delay in the trial of cases. The EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren said that although the federal government had been funding the body, there was need for better funding to enable it carry out its responsibilities. Wilson stated this yesterday in Enugu yesterday, while speaking to reporters. He said the agency recorded 126 convictions in 2014, adding that some governors, ministers and public officials were currently under investigation. “The biggest challenge as far as we are concerned is the courts. That is the number one challenge that the commission faces; where you are bogged down with delays in court; you cannot make progress. “As I speak to you, there are cases that we took to court in 2007, and they are still dragging on in the court.

And defence counsels are always eager to file frivolous applications just to delay matters. Most of them (defendants) have the resources and the best senior advocates in the country to cause such problem,” he said. “We have a good number of highly exposed persons, including ministers, governors and top ranking officials of government under investigation by the commission. Naming names at this stage will jeopardize investigation, so we are not going to mention names. All I will tell you is that a number of them are under investigation and once we conclude that, you will get to know the identities of those involved.