Nigeria’s anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has reportedly questioned a senior judicial officer after operatives intercepted his wife carrying a large sum of foreign currency.
The incident has sparked fresh debate about transparency within Nigeria’s judiciary and raised questions about compliance with asset declaration rules required of public officials.
According to reports, EFCC operatives stopped the judge’s wife and discovered $160,000 in cash in her possession. The money was immediately seized, and she was taken in for questioning by investigators. Following the interrogation, the anti-corruption agency summoned the judge himself for further clarification on Tuesday.
The development comes amid growing scrutiny surrounding the judge’s 2024 asset declaration filed with the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB). Investigators claim the declaration allegedly failed to include four bank accounts, a potential breach of Nigeria’s Code of Conduct laws governing public officials.
Under Nigerian law, public office holders are required to fully disclose their assets and financial interests. Failure to comply can lead to severe penalties, including removal from office or a prison sentence of up to 10 years if found guilty.
However, the judge has denied any wrongdoing and insists that the allegations are unfounded.
Sources close to the matter say the judge plans to appear before the Code of Conduct Bureau on or after March 16, accompanied by a senior legal counsel, to address the concerns and provide clarification regarding his financial records.
His legal team maintains that the issue will be resolved through due process and that the judge is prepared to defend his record.
The case has triggered mixed reactions among legal experts, civil society groups, and the public. Some anti-corruption activists argue that the investigation represents a necessary step toward accountability within Nigeria’s judiciary.
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Others, however, believe the probe could be politically motivated, suggesting the judge may be facing pressure because of his role in presiding over several high-profile corruption cases.
As the investigation unfolds, observers say the outcome could have significant implications for public trust in Nigeria’s justice system and anti-corruption efforts.