The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun has urged judges to champion the fight against financial crimes and ensure that the nation’s legal system did not inadvertently become a conduit for illicit financial flows.
Justice Kekere-Ekun advocated for stronger collaboration among judicial stakeholders and law enforcement and anti-graft agencies to ensure that the country is removed from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), list of “Jurisdictions Under Increased Monitoring” otherwise known as “Grey List.”
The CJN spoke in Abuja on Thursday at a sensitization programme on anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) risk assessment for the Judiciary.
She said: “The success of any AML/CFT regime hinges on synergy among key stakeholders.
“The Judiciary, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), law enforcement agencies, anti-graft institutions, and financial regulators must work in concert to ensure a holistic and coordinated response to financial crimes.
Justice Kekere-Ekun noted that the country’s continued presence on the Grey List has imposed significant economic constraints, affecting investor confidence, financial transactions, and the broader economic outlook.
She stated that the anticipated delisting from this category is therefore not merely a symbolic achievement but a tangible milestone with far-reaching economic and reputational benefits.
CJN added: “It will signal our commitment to financial transparency and integrity while restoring Nigeria’s standing in the global financial community.”
She expresses satisfaction that the workshop brought together a diverse group of participants, including key regulatory stakeholders, reflecting “our collective commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s AML/CFT framework.”
In his contribution, the Administrator of the National Judicial Institute (NJI), Justice Salisu Abdullahi said the sensitization programme for judges was aimed at strengthening the federal government’s resolve to make sure Nigeria is removed from the FATF’s list of Jurisdictions Under Increased Monitoring.
He said the workshop was n line with the NJI’s mandate of promoting efficiency, uniformity and improvement in the quality of judicial services through the provision of continuing education for all categories of judicial officers.
The Deputy British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mrs. Gill Lever had pledged the United Kingdom’s readiness to support Nigeria to fight money laundering.
Mrs. Lever said the country loses over $16 billion yearly to money laundering.
The Nation
