Judiciary Urged to Strengthen Collaboration Against Terrorism, Money Laundering, and Witness Protection Challenges
The Administrator of the National Judicial Institute (NJI), Hon. Justice Babatunde Adejumo, OFR, has underscored the urgent need for stronger judicial coordination and institutional collaboration in tackling terrorism, money laundering, illicit financial flows, and the persistent challenges of witness protection within Nigeria’s justice system.
Speaking at the Biennial National Workshop on Counter-Terrorism and Judicial Responses to Financial Crimes, held at the Andrews Otutu Obaseki Auditorium in Abuja, Justice Adejumo highlighted the judiciary’s delicate role in balancing public safety, individual rights, evidentiary limitations, and procedural safeguards. He stressed that principled decision-making and continuous judicial capacity development are indispensable in ensuring credible justice delivery.
On witness protection, His Lordship noted that the willingness of individuals to testify in sensitive cases depends largely on their confidence in the judiciary’s ability to guarantee their safety. Where such confidence is absent, he warned, the administration of justice is gravely undermined.
Justice Adejumo further emphasized that effective judicial responses cannot rely solely on isolated institutional efforts. Instead, they must be aligned and mutually reinforcing across the justice sector. He expressed optimism that the workshop would foster deeper cooperation among judges, investigators, prosecutors, and relevant agencies.
Delivering the keynote address, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Kudirat M.O. Kekere-Ekun, GCON, reaffirmed the judiciary’s strategic national importance in combating terrorism financing, money laundering, and illicit financial flows. She observed that judicial decisions in these areas shape institutional credibility, reinforce investor confidence, and signal Nigeria’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and the rule of law.
The Chief Justice drew attention to emerging threats posed by digital technologies, virtual currencies, encrypted platforms, and anonymity tools, which increasingly facilitate financial crimes and terrorism-related activities. She urged judicial officers to strengthen their technological literacy, deepen their understanding of digital evidence and cyber-forensics, and remain alert to evolving crime patterns.
On witness protection, Her Lordship stressed that credible mechanisms remain fundamental to dismantling organized criminal and terrorist networks. While Nigeria has relevant legal frameworks, she acknowledged that implementation challenges and institutional gaps continue to hinder effectiveness.
Concluding her address, the Chief Justice encouraged participants to engage actively, deepen interdisciplinary collaboration, and strengthen institutional synergy among judges, investigators, prosecutors, and financial intelligence agencies. She thereafter formally declared the workshop open.
The opening ceremony was attended by dignitaries including the Acting Chief Judge of Imo State, Hon. Justice Ijeoma Agugua; Hon. Justice Simon Amobeda of the Federal High Court, Kano; Professor Adekunle Adedeji of the Juritrust Centre for Socio-Legal Research and Documentation; and Dr. Benedict, Acting Coordinator of Legal and Prosecution, representing the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The ceremony concluded with the recitation of the National Pledge, reaffirming participants’ commitment to national unity, service, and the rule of law, followed by a group photograph to commemorate the formal commencement of the workshop.
