DEPUTY President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, said yesterday that if war against corruption must be achieved in all its ramifications, there was the urgent need to establish special anti-corruption courts.
Senator Ekweremadu, who noted that the setting up of such courts would help reduce the burden on regular courts and fast-track trial of corruption cases, spoke when he was decorated anti-corruption ambassador by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
He was decorated in his office by a team from EFCC, led by the National Assembly Liaison Officer, Suleiman Bakari.
Ekweremadu said: “I have been an advocate of special courts for the trial of corruption cases and I believe that other countries, who have enacted laws establishing such, are not fools because there are benefits to be derived therefrom.
“The idea is to expedite trial to make sure that those who are involved in corruption matters will have their day in court.
“When we have special courts, just as we have the National Industrial Court, such courts will do better than they are doing now.”
While advocating for value reorientation of Nigerians at all levels, with a view to returning to good values, Ekweremadu also cautioned EFCC to ensure that that the Rule of Law was respected in fighting corruption.
Earlier, leader of the EFCC delegation, Bakari, appealed to the National Assembly to ensure adequate funding for the agency and advocated speedy passage of all the anti-corruption bills before it.
