The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) and over 75 civil society groups under the Coalition of National Civil Society Organisations (CNCSOs) have condemned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged expenditure of N54 million to sponsor five Nigerian judges on a trip to London, United Kingdom, describing it as a threat to judicial independence.
In a statement jointly signed by Comrade James Ezema, CNPP Deputy National Publicity Secretary, and Alhaji Ali Abacha, CNCSOs National Secretary, on Monday, they described the sponsorship reported in a section of the media as a “grave threat” to judicial independence and democratic accountability.
They argued that the EFCC, as a prosecutorial agency that frequently appears before courts, shouldn’t fund judicial officers, raising concerns about conflicts of interest, potential bias, and the erosion of public confidence in the justice system.
The statement highlighted EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale’s defense that the trip was for capacity building at an international symposium, calling it ethically questionable and a dangerous precedent. It dismissed the claim that the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) nominates judges, insisting that the funding source remains the core issue.
The groups criticised the EFCC’s response as dismissive and self-justifying, especially amid past accusations of selective enforcement against opposition figures, and warned that such actions could undermine fairness in politically sensitive cases.
The coalition placed oversight bodies on notice, including the National Judicial Council (NJC) to probe ethical breaches, the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) for public office violations, National Assembly committees on anti-corruption and judiciary, and the Auditor-General for expenditure scrutiny.
They announced an emergency Central Working Committee meeting this weekend to approve petitions and initiate legal and civic actions, while also demanding full disclosure from the EFCC on expenditure details, beneficiary identities, the selection process, and the legal basis.
“Nigeria’s democracy cannot survive on compromised institutions. The judiciary must not only be independent but must be seen to be independent,” the statement added.
