There has been widespread criticism following the decision of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to spend ₦54 million sponsoring five judges on a trip to the United Kingdom.
The judges attended the 42nd International Symposium on Economic Crime held at Jesus College, Cambridge, between August 31 and September 7, 2025. Data from GovSpend, a civic technology platform that monitors government spending, revealed that the payment for the trip was made on August 27, 2025.
Reacting to the development, Amnesty International Nigeria’s Country Director, Isa Sanusi, described the sponsorship as a serious ethical lapse. He warned that such actions could undermine public trust in the judiciary, noting that judges frequently preside over EFCC-related cases.
Similarly, Debo Adeniran of the Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership suggested that the move could be perceived as an attempt to influence judicial decisions, calling it a potential misuse of public funds.
Adding to the criticism, economist Sheriffdeen Tella argued that such expenses should fall under the judiciary’s own budget rather than being funded by a prosecuting agency.
Legal expert Nnamdi Aduba also questioned the propriety of the sponsorship, stating that it could be considered unethical unless it had prior approval from the National Judicial Council (NJC).
In response, the EFCC defended its actions, insisting that there was nothing improper about the arrangement. According to its spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, the judges were nominated by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, and the trip was intended to enhance their knowledge of financial crimes.
He added that the symposium provides a platform for global experts to exchange ideas on combating corruption, arguing that the EFCC’s support should be seen as a contribution to strengthening the justice system rather than compromising it.
