President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on Nigeria’s judiciary to strengthen its understanding of cryptocurrency, blockchain, and digital finance systems to effectively combat the evolving nature of financial crimes.
Speaking at the EFCC–National Judicial Institute (NJI) Workshop for Justices and Judges in Abuja, Tinubu—represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima—said that corruption in the digital era requires a judiciary equipped with new knowledge and tools to deal with complex, technology-driven offences.
“The nature of modern financial crimes has changed,” the President said. “How can one deliver justice in a cryptocurrency fraud case without understanding the technology behind it? Continuous learning is no longer optional—it is essential for judicial relevance in this digital age.”
Judiciary’s integrity must remain unshaken
Tinubu also urged judges and justices to uphold the highest standards of integrity and independence, stressing that judicial compromise erodes public confidence and weakens the moral foundation of the country.
“The judiciary remains the last sanctuary of our collective conscience,” he said in a statement by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Communications. “The moral fabric of our nation depends on the uprightness of our courts.”
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to improving judges’ welfare and safeguarding judicial autonomy, noting that recent salary reviews and institutional reforms were designed to strengthen the justice system.
Adapting to a new financial reality
The President expressed concern over delays in corruption trials, which he said fuel public frustration and diminish confidence in justice delivery.
“The theme of this year’s workshop—Enhancing Justice in the Fight Against Economic and Financial Crimes—is timely,” he said. “Many Nigerians are disheartened by the slow pace of major corruption cases, while smaller cybercrime cases are concluded swiftly.”
Tinubu called for greater use of digital learning and technological tools in the judiciary to ensure faster trials and more informed rulings in complex financial cases.
“Judges are not immune to the consequences of corruption,” he cautioned. “There are no separate hospitals, roads, or communities for the judiciary. A corruption-free Nigeria is possible if everyone does the right thing.”
CJN calls for efficiency and impartiality
Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, echoed the President’s remarks, stressing that the judiciary’s credibility rests on timely and impartial decisions.
“The strength of our courts lies in the trust of the people,” she said. “We must ensure that justice is neither delayed nor compromised.”
Broader context
Earlier this month, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, inaugurated a special committee to examine the economic, regulatory, and security impact of cryptocurrency and POS operations in Nigeria.
The committee, he said, was formed in response to growing cases of fraud, cybercrime, and consumer exploitation in the country’s expanding digital finance ecosystem.
Tinubu’s latest remarks signal a broader national effort to align Nigeria’s justice system with emerging financial realities, ensuring that courts are prepared to handle the next generation of digital and crypto-related financial crimes.
Emmanuel Bassey is a Financial Expert that has worked in the Banking and Finance Industry for over 15+ years across different banks in Nigeria
