The Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Dr. Mainasara Umar Kogo, has called for stronger cooperation between Nigeria, foreign embassies and international law enforcement institutions to help enforce anti-corruption judgments involving assets and investments outside the country.

Kogo said collaboration with diplomatic missions, Interpol and relevant international institutions was important to addressing cases in which individuals subject to Nigerian anti-corruption decisions have foreign links, including dual citizenship, overseas investments or assets held abroad.

He said Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts required stronger international partnerships to ensure that judgments did not lose their effect simply because relevant assets or individuals were beyond the country’s borders.

The CCT chairman made the call while outlining his vision for strengthening the tribunal’s capacity and addressing institutional challenges facing the country’s accountability system.

He argued that cooperation with foreign institutions could help improve the implementation of judgments and reinforce efforts to promote accountability in public office.

Kogo also called for reforms to the legal framework governing the tribunal, proposing its transformation into a National Anti-Corruption Court with broader prosecutorial powers.

According to him, the proposed reform would allow more anti-corruption agencies and, potentially, civil society organisations to initiate relevant proceedings, rather than leaving prosecution within the current framework.

He said the proposal would also involve expanding the tribunal’s judicial capacity through additional divisions and judges to improve its ability to handle cases.

The proposal, however, would require the necessary legislative approval before it could become law.

Kogo said a stronger legal and institutional framework was necessary to improve the effectiveness of anti-corruption enforcement, adding that the tribunal needed adequate resources, trained personnel and sustained institutional support.

He also highlighted the importance of international assistance, saying donor agencies and institutions had supported the tribunal with equipment and other forms of assistance amid funding constraints.

The chairman said he had pursued administrative and institutional changes since assuming office, including staff training and measures intended to improve case management.

He also cited a practice direction designed to limit the time required to conclude cases, saying more efficient proceedings were necessary to strengthen public confidence in the tribunal.

Kogo’s call for international cooperation comes against the broader challenge of enforcing domestic accountability decisions when relevant assets, investments or individuals have connections outside Nigeria.

Stronger cross-border cooperation could support the implementation of lawful judgments, although the enforcement of Nigerian decisions in other jurisdictions would remain subject to applicable laws, treaties and the legal processes of those countries.

The CCT is responsible for adjudicating alleged breaches of the Code of Conduct for public officers. Its work forms part of Nigeria’s wider institutional framework for promoting integrity and accountability in public service.

Kogo said sustained reforms, international cooperation and stronger public commitment to accountability were necessary to strengthen the country’s anti-corruption system.