The Corruption and Financial Crime Cases Trial Monitoring Committee (COTRIMCO) set up by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Walter Onnoghen is expected to drive the National Judicial Council’s new policy on anti-corruption war.

The COTRIMCO is supposed to ensure that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) adheres to the rule of law in its actions.

The first sign that all was not well with the committee was the public condemnation that greeted the constitution of the committee especially with some of its members as defense lawyers to many persons accused of engaging in several acts of corruption in the country. Leading the pack of this team was Professor Itse Sagay, Chairman  of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Anti-corruption who made it known that some of the members nominated for the COTRIMCO had questionable records and had either been connected to corrupt practices or outrightly accused of criminal or corrupt activities. He berated the Chief Justice for not scrutinising the nominees before appointing them.

If that wasn’t indicting enough,  Justice Ayo Salami, the retired President of the Court of Appeal has turned down his appointment as the committee chairman for reasons best known to him. Rumours suggest that Salami refused to work with some members of the committee because he is still wary of them and holds the notion that they had a hand in his suspension from office during Goodluck Jonathan‘s term as president.

On November 1, 2017, a civil society organisation, the Value and Integrity Group (VIG) condemned the composition of the committee as it relates to some individuals described as supporting those accused of corruption in the country.

Specifically, the organisation called out former NBA Presidents Olisa Agbakoba, Wole Olanipekun, Joseph Daudu, Augustine Alegeh, among others, including the current NBA President MB Mahmoud whom the organisation claimed is handling a corruption trial which they believe will be a clash of interest with The Corruption and Financial Crime Cases Trial Monitoring Committee duties.

The COTRIMCO innovation by the CJN is a right step in the right direction that should be done devoid of controversy. However, the current committee has been a source of criticism and complaints which negates the purpose for which it was set up.

As protests and accusations mount, it is obvious that the CJN must either listen to the cries that he reconstitutes the COTRIMCO’s cabinet or risk it becoming yet another powerless parastatal.

Editor