THE acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Magu, paid a visit to the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Olufunmilayo Atilade, on Wednesday, urging her to designate more judges to EFCC cases.
In order to expedite hearings in EFCC cases, Magu also pleaded with the CJ to consider the possibility of putting magistrates sitting in the Igbosere division of the court in charge of remand orders for suspects being investigated by the anti-graft commission.
Magu was quoted to have made this appeal on Wednesday, according to a statement by the Lagos State Judiciary Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Grace Alo, which was made available to our correspondent.
The EFCC boss, however, commended the Lagos State judiciary for its commitment to eradication of crimes in the society, noting that the EFCC had secured no fewer than 103 convictions at the Lagos State High Court.
“As of 2015, we have had 103 convictions; it shows the commitment and zeal towards the fight against corruption. For such a judiciary we must thank the Chief Judge and her team for a job well done,” Magu said.
The statement quoted the Chief Judge as restating the judiciary under her watch to eradication of corruption, adding that her team was equal to the task.
She, however, urged the EFCC to embrace the option of plea bargain, especially in financial crimes cases, noting that doing so would aid loot recovery and shorten trial time.