The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede, has called on the Nigerian media to remain vigilant, bold, and united in the country’s ongoing battle against corruption.
Speaking at the annual lecture of the National Association of Judicial Correspondents (NAJUC), Lagos Island branch, Olukoyede represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr. Ezekwe Michael, commended journalists for their vital role in promoting transparency and accountability.
“When efforts are acknowledged as they are today, it serves as a morale booster and reinforces our resolve to continue the fight with renewed vigour,” he said.
Olukoyede emphasized that the fight against corruption should be viewed as a patriotic duty, warning that every act of corruption undermines national dignity and progress.
“We must no longer treat corruption with levity, we must be firm, resolute, and united,”he stated.
He called for stronger cross-sector collaboration and highlighted the media’s capacity to shape public discourse, expose wrongdoing, and promote a culture of integrity.
Delivering the keynote address, retired Justice Folashade Bankole-Oki called for urgent reforms in the justice sector, stressing that public confidence in the judiciary is dwindling.
“There is an urgent need to strengthen the administration of justice in Nigeria. Public trust has waned and rightly so,” she said.
Justice Bankole-Oki advocated the adoption of modern technology, international best practices, and broader public engagement to tackle systemic inefficiencies.
She pointed to innovations in the Lagos State Judiciary, urging national adoption of measures such as virtual hearings, e-filing, online dispute resolution, and paperless trials to address case backlogs and delays.
She also stressed the importance of secure digital storage, electronic evidence, and the use of artificial intelligence in legal processes, while warning against overreliance on technology.
“Technology, media, international benchmarks, and public feedback are no longer optional they are essential for building an efficient, transparent justice system,” she said.
Bankole-Oki also underscored the importance of responsible journalism, cautioning against sensationalism that could damage the judiciary’s credibility. While opposing restrictive proposals like mandatory blogger registration, she called for increased accuracy, accountability, and verified reporting in the media.
On whistleblowing, she encouraged media practitioners to support protective measures against retaliation while guarding against misuse of the process.
Also speaking, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Terhemba Tsoho, represented by Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa advocated for stronger collaboration between the judiciary and court reporters to ensure fair and accurate reporting.
Chairman of the occasion, Justice Taiwo Taiwo, praised recent moves by the Chief Justice of Nigeria to publish judicial nominees for public scrutiny, describing the initiative as a landmark for transparency in the judiciary.
NAJUC Chairman, Mr. Olugbenga Soyele, described the lecture theme, “Strengthening the Administration of Justice Through Technology, International Best Practices, Media, and Public Feedback,” as timely and crucial to ongoing reforms.
The event concluded with the presentation of an Award of Excellence to EFCC Chairman Olukoyede in recognition of his commitment to the anti-corruption campaign.
—Lukman Olabiyi
