Presidency denies selective justice as EFCC recovers ₦500bn under
Vice President Kashim Shettima has disclosed that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has recovered assets worth over ₦500 billion and secured more than 7,000 convictions in the past two years.
Shettima, who represented President Bola Tinubu on Monday at the opening of the 7th edition of the EFCC–NJI Capacity-Building Workshop for Judges and Justices in Abuja, credited these achievements to the administration’s non-interference in the anti-graft agency’s operations and its dedication to transparency and accountability.
The Vice President affirmed the government’s commitment to fighting corruption, stating: “As an administration, we have prioritised public accountability by strengthening the anti-corruption agencies and giving them the needed independence to execute their statutory mandates. This enabling environment is evident in the impact made in the last two years. The EFCC, for example, has recorded over 7,000 convictions and recovered assets in excess of ₦500 billion.”
Shettima further explained that the substantial proceeds recovered from corruption were not being wasted but were being reinvested into developmental projects and social welfare schemes across key sectors.
He specified the destination of these funds, saying: “Recovered proceeds of crime by the agency are being brought back into the economy to fund critical social investment programmes, including the students’ loan and consumer credit schemes.”
Shettima noted that the administration was equally working to strengthen the judiciary through both legislative reforms and significant welfare improvements for judicial officers.
He reassured the audience that the government is operating within established constitutional limits, stating: “We are equally working within the boundaries of separation of powers to support the judiciary in improving the working conditions of judicial officers. The remuneration of judges has improved, and we are committed to further enhancing their welfare and facilities.”
Reaffirming President Tinubu’s stance that no political ally or public official is above the law, Shettima firmly dismissed insinuations of selective justice in the government’s ongoing anti-corruption drive.
He emphasized the government’s impartiality: “There is no person or group who can accuse this administration of shielding political actors on account of their affiliation to this government or the political party. We have allowed both the judiciary and the anti-corruption agencies to exercise their constitutional and statutory powers to dispense justice and restore sanity.”
The Vice President urged judges and justices to perform their critical duties with integrity, patriotism, and courage, warning that corruption remains a threat to all citizens.
He stressed the indispensable role of the judiciary in maintaining public trust: “Courts and judges are strong pillars of the anti-corruption process. Unless society has full confidence that those who pillage our resources will be subjected to the rule of law and brought to justice through a transparent process, our collective commitment to fighting corruption will continue to face scepticism. Corruption is no respecter of persons. Judges, like every other citizen, face the same risks that stem from decades of theft and wastage of the nation’s resources,” he cautioned.
Shettima concluded by calling for stronger collaboration between the executive, legislature, and judiciary to reinforce Nigeria’s anti-corruption fight, insisting that justice and transparency were vital to national progress.
He concluded with a statement of commitment: “A Nigeria free of corruption is possible if we all commit to doing what is right and ensure that those who deviate from the norm are not allowed to go scot-free. A robust judicial system is central to the success of anti-corruption efforts, and I count on our judges to help us achieve this noble aspiration.”
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