The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has urged judges to take a leading role in the fight against financial crimes and ensure that the nation’s legal system does not become a facilitator of illicit financial flows.
She made the call in Abuja during a sensitisation programme on anti-money laundering, combating the financing terrorism, and countering proliferation financing risk assessment for the Judiciary.
According to the statement, Kekere-Ekun emphasized the need for collaboration between the judiciary, lawyers, law enforcement, and anti-graft agencies, in order to ensure Nigeria’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force list of Jurisdictions Under Increased Monitoring, commonly referred to as the “Grey List.”
She stated, “The success of any AML/CFT regime hinges on synergy among key stakeholders. The Judiciary, the Nigerian Bar Association, law enforcement agencies, anti-graft institutions, and financial regulators must work in concert to ensure a holistic and coordinated response to financial crimes.”
The CJN therefore highlighted the negative impact of Nigeria’s continued presence on the Grey List, noting that it has imposed significant economic constraints, undermining investor confidence, financial transactions, and the broader economic outlook.
