The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has commended Nigeria’s Supreme Court for its landmark ruling affirming the legitimacy and prosecutorial powers of the country’s key anti-corruption agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU).
In a unanimous decision delivered on Friday, a seven-member panel of the apex court, led by Justice Uwani Abba-Aji, dismissed a suit filed by several state governments, led by Kogi State, challenging the authority of these federal agencies. The court ruled that the suit lacked merit, emphasizing the supremacy of federal laws over state laws in combating corruption.
CISLAC hailed the judgement as a “significant victory for the rule of law and the fight against corruption,” describing it as a deterrent to frivolous legal challenges designed to undermine Nigeria’s anti-corruption framework.
The advocacy group lauded Justice Abba-Aji’s assertion that no state government could enact laws that compete with Acts of the National Assembly establishing these agencies, calling it a critical affirmation of their investigative and prosecutorial powers across all tiers of government.
Call for judicial accountability and reforms
CISLAC also seized the opportunity to address the issue of corruption within Nigeria’s judiciary. Referring to recent comments by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) on judicial corruption, the organization called on the National Judicial Council (NJC) and the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) to hold erring judges and judicial staff accountable.
It urged the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee to sanction lawyers involved in corrupt practices within the judiciary.
Advocacy for constitutional reforms
The group further emphasized the need for the National Assembly to constitutionally mainstream the EFCC, ICPC, and NFIU, ensuring their independence and sustainability in fighting corruption. CISLAC stressed that embedding these agencies into the constitution would strengthen their legal framework and enhance their effectiveness.
Additionally, CISLAC called for comprehensive judicial reforms aimed at increasing transparency, efficiency, and public confidence in the judicial system.
Public support for anti-corruption efforts
Concluding its statement, CISLAC urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and support the anti-corruption efforts of the EFCC, ICPC, and NFIU. The organization reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for a transparent, accountable, and just society.
