Osinbajo Decries EFCC Low Conviction Rate in Corruption Cases

ABUJA - Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo yesterday condemned the low conviction rate by the EFCC in high profile corruption cases in the country, saying there is still a long way to go in that regard.

The vice-president revealed this while speaking at a workshop on Sections 306 & 396 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 and Delay of Corruption Cases, organised by the Centre for Socio-Legal Studies (CSLS) and the Presidential Committee on Corruption (PAAC) in Abuja.

He went further to say that since the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was established in 2002, only eight high profile cases have been successfully concluded despite the widespread corruption in the land.

According to him, of the eight cases, one was overturned by the Supreme Court on technical grounds, which means only seven major convictions have been secured after trial in 13 years.

“We must do more. This is not a campaign for conviction at all cost in high profile cases, but a campaign that the law must be allowed to follow its course and high or low profile corruption cases must be concluded within the time allotted by law,” he said.

Osinbajo, represented by PAAC chairman, Prof. Itsay Sagay (SAN), attributed the delays to lawyers breaching ethical rules to defend clients, overcrowded courts, compromised judicial officers, ill-equipped investigators and prosecutors, among others.

“We will not build this nation as a citadel of justice in one day or 1,000 days, but it is important that we start now and we shall not relent until we achieve total reform and recovery from the present broken and failed system,” he said.

Source: The Nation Newspaper