How lawyers are frustrating anti-corruption fight - Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has called for urgent reforms in the judiciary.

In a speech delivered on his behalf by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Monday at the  year’s All Nigeria Judges’ Conference in Abuja, Buhari said that lawyers aided by some judges employ delay tactics to stall corruption trials and hinder the recovery of proceeds of crime in high profile corruption cases.

“Government’s attempt to recover such assets in accordance with the law, are often faced with dilatory tactics by lawyers, sometimes with the apparent collusion of judges.

“These tactics are often not directed at reaching any conclusion or affirming innocence or guilt, but at stalling trials indefinitely, thus denying the state and the accused person the opportunity of a judicial verdict.

“I wish to echo the sentiments of the vast majority of Nigerians in saying that we cannot afford to continue like this," he said.

The conference was organized by the National Judicial Institute.