Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Mahmud Mohammed, has decried what he termed a “lack of political will” by previous and current governments to prosecute high profile corruption cases.

He also insisted that the blame game between the judiciary and executive arms of government in tackling corruption have always been stalled on the altar of political exigencies.

CJN stated this while counseling Buhari and the Attorney General of the Federation/Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN) on the need to eschew political affiliations and bias in the fight against corruption.

Mohammed bared his mind during a meeting with the AGF, condemning further in a statement issued by his media aide, the lackluster attitude of government towards the prosecution of criminal cases “especially those involving politically exposed persons or political party family members.”

“Experience within the Judiciary shows that there is abject lack of political will to prosecute some of those cases pending before our various courts almost a decade in some instances. It is not because there are no special courts, but mostly for reasons of political expedience and other ancillary considerations.
“I would likewise wish to encourage you (AGF) to display a greater resolve than your predecessors in tackling outstanding cases before the courts. In times past, the Attorney General of the Federation would often lead teams of legal counsel in high profile cases so as to demonstrate the resolve of the government to enshrine the rule of law.

“Sadly, recent Attorneys-General have become less inclined to do this. I would certainly like to see you, as the Attorney General, appear before us especially in cases of important national purport.

“There is the need for seasoned prosecutors to prepare and file charges before courts of competent jurisdiction so that criminal matters are timeously determined.”

Buhari has since come under attack for trying his political enemies in the pages of newspapers only without strengthening the legal process which experts have recommended as the constitutional procedures for fighting corruption cases.

With his friendly disposition with suspected corrupt members of his party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, who were major financiers during his election, the promise of stamping out corruption may be hanging in the air, as experts have predicted a stalemate in his anti-corruption mantra. See more: http://www.post-nigeria.com/how-can-buhari-really-say-hes-fighting-corruption-chief-justice/