Tinubu Urges Judiciary to Close Legal Loopholes Used by Criminals

President Bola Tinubu has urged the judiciary to address legal and procedural loopholes exploited by criminals to delay or escape prosecution.

Tinubu made the call on Tuesday in Abuja at the annual Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and National Judicial Institute (NJI) Capacity Building Workshop for Judges and Justices. He was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima.

The President urged judicial officers to review existing laws and prosecution procedures to address emerging financial crimes and prevent suspects from using technicalities to frustrate trials.

“Probe prosecution strategies, dismantle outdated precedents, and seal procedural gaps that politically exposed persons and organised crime actors exploit to delay or frustrate trial,” he said.

Tinubu warned that financial and economic crimes posed a serious threat to Nigeria, stressing that corruption affected all arms of government and society.

He said the fight against corruption should not be seen as the responsibility of the executive alone, noting that compromised public services had consequences for the legislature, judiciary and ordinary citizens.

“Corruption is a battle for the nation’s collective survival. We must no longer permit legal pyrotechnics and procedural pedantry to shelter criminality,” the President said.

He added that the judiciary had a responsibility beyond interpreting rules, describing it as a key institution in promoting justice and social equity.

Tinubu urged judges and justices to ensure that legal procedures did not become tools for shielding individuals accused of financial crimes, while underscoring the need to strengthen the justice system to respond to evolving criminal activities.