Stakeholders in the legal sector have decried the delay in the justice administration system. According to them, the delay causes more corruption in the country.

They resolved that the law should be reviewed in line with current trends globally. They gave this resolution in Lagos at the public presentation of the 7th edition of the compendium on 100 high profile corruption cases in Nigeria organised by Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) and supported by MacArthur Foundation in commemoration of the International Anti-corruption day.

Chairman, Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission, Lagos State, Justice Mojisola Olatoregun (rtd) said corruption cases must be given the same attention as it is given to election petition matters.

“We need to teach people a lesson, we must let everybody know that corruption does not pay. When corruption cases are not taken on time, the judge allows them to escape because the culprit might find a friendly government who will free them.

“Transparency, accountability and the dispensation of justice play pivotal roles in fostering a fair and equitable society.

“Corruption undermines the very fabric of our society, eroding trust, hampering economic development, and obstructing the path to justice and equality,” she said.

The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Lagos, Lawal Pedro (SAN) noted that one of the steps in combating corruption in the State is the enactment of the public complaint and anti-corruption commission laws in the State.

“This legislative framework serves as a formidable tool in our arsenal against corruption, providing a legal foundation to investigate and prosecute cases of corruption within the state,” he said. He urged everyone to continue to strive for a fair and efficient system that holds individuals accountable for corrupt practices.

In his keynote address on Rule of law, effective administration of criminal justice and good governance in the prosecution of corruption cases in Nigeria, Wahab Shittu (SAN) said the topic remains critical factors for the survival of the society.

These objectives, he said, remain a stakeholders’ challenge that must be subscribed to, to enhance the quality and efficiency of the process. Shittu said measures should be taken to restore public confidence in the justice delivery system.

He said some of the recommended measures include a device to prevent delays in the administration of justice, to strengthen quality appointment procedures for judicial officers, to improve quality of infrastructure and information technology in courts, among others.

HEDA chairman, Olanrenwaju Suraju earlier in his welcome address urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to be committed in the fight against corruption.

“There must be a loud statement that must come from Tinubu that will tell Nigerians that there is a commitment and interest in the fight against corruption,

“We must ensure that people are reminded of the corruption atrocities that had happened,” he said.