CCT SEEKS APPROVAL TO BECOME NATIONAL ANTI-CORRUPTION COURT

The Code of Conduct Tribunal has approached the National Assembly seeking approval to transform the tribunal into a full-fledged National Anti-Corruption Court.

The proposal is aimed at speeding up the prosecution and determination of corruption-related cases across Nigeria.

The Acting Director of Litigation of the CCT, Yahaya Laraski, disclosed this on Monday while highlighting the tribunal’s achievements and challenges under its new leadership.

According to him, the proposed legislation is being pursued as an Executive Bill through the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

Laraski said the proposed court would have seven judicial divisions across the country and 37 judges dedicated to handling corruption cases.

He explained that the reform would give the institution a broader mandate and help improve the pace of corruption trials.

However, he identified inadequate funding and limited case inflow as major challenges facing the tribunal. He said the CCT’s cases depend largely on referrals from the Code of Conduct Bureau.

Laraski also disclosed that the tribunal has struggled to access its N2bn budgetary allocation, affecting its operations and capacity to effectively carry out its responsibilities.