President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged Nigeria’s judiciary to deepen its understanding of blockchain technology, cryptocurrency, and other digital innovations to effectively tackle emerging financial crimes.
Speaking at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)–National Judicial Institute (NJI) Workshop for Justices and Judges in Abuja, Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, said the complexity of modern corruption requires judicial officers to acquire digital competence.
He stated that justice delivery in the digital age must evolve to handle cases involving cryptocurrency and cyber-enabled offences. “How does one do justice in a cryptocurrency fraud case except one is grounded in such matters?” he asked.
Tinubu emphasized that learning and adaptation are essential for relevance in the digital era, noting that the judiciary’s moral authority rests on its integrity and independence. “The moral foundation of our nation rests squarely on the integrity of its judicial system,” he said.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to enhancing judges’ welfare and ensuring judicial independence, citing recent reviews of judicial remuneration as part of broader reforms.
Addressing delays in corruption trials, Tinubu expressed concern over prolonged high-profile cases and called for technology-driven processes to improve efficiency. He said the judiciary must stay ahead of evolving financial networks that exploit digital illiteracy.
Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, in her remarks, said public trust in the judiciary depends on timely and impartial rulings. “The strength of the judiciary lies in the trust reposed in judges by the Nigerian people,” she said.
Earlier, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, inaugurated a committee to assess the economic and security implications of cryptocurrency and Point-of-Sale operations in Nigeria.
