With increasing sophistication of financial crimes, it has become imperative that assets of the criminals are identified before arrest. Additionally, with the evolution of the capital market in Nigeria, it has become important to improve the Bench’s view of the capital market.
Lending to support these efforts, the AGA-Africa Programme collaborated with the National Judicial Institute (NJI) on a highly engaging workshop themed ‘Asset Forfeiture Regime Under Nigerian Law and the Bench’s View of the Capital Market’. The workshop was held on 20th-22nd June, 2023 in Abuja, Nigeria.
The workshop brought together Justices of the Court of Appeal and the High Court, law officers, regulators, the judiciary, lawyers, as well as regional, subject matter experts from Nigeria, Uganda, Zambia and an international subject matter expert from the United States who joined virtually.
The workshop was aimed at equipping the participants with knowledge and understanding on the pertinent issues relating to asset forfeiture under the Nigerian law.
Ebelechukwu Enedah, AGA-Africa Programme Country Coordinator for Nigeria kicked off the workshop. Dr. Chief Anthony Idigbe, Senior Partner, PUNUKA Attorneys and Solicitors and Hon. Justice Salisu Garba, Administrator, National Judicial Institute, gave opening remarks.
His Lordship Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, CGON, Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman, Board of Governors, National Judicial Institute (NJI) delivered the keynote address.
The sessions were facilitated by Dr. Chief Idigbe SAN, Senior Partner, PUNUKA Attorneys and Solicitors, Aso Peters, Public Prosecutor, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Barr Charlotte Dennis, Assistant Director, Asset Recovery and Forfeiture Department Proceeds of Management, Economic and Financial and Institutions District, Hon. Justice Ibrahim Buba (Rtd), Hon. Justice Lawrence Gidudu, Head, Anti-Corruption Division, High Court of Uganda, Hon. Justice Susan Mtonga-Wanjelani, Judge-In-Charge, Lusaka High Court Economical and Financial Crimes Division, Zambia and Judge Wilbur Stiles III, Judge, 3rd District of the Louisiana Third Circuit Court of Appeal.
At the closing, Ebelechukwu Enedah thanked the participants for their attendance and participation.
Workshop Outcomes
- Enhanced their knowledge and skills needed to identify, trace, preserve and secure property that is subject to both criminal and civil forfeiture.
- Were equipped with knowledge on the role of the judiciary when engaging in asset forfeiture, criminal forfeiture and civil forfeiture cases in Nigeria.
- Enhanced their understanding on the strategies prosecutors can employ in the preparation and litigation of asset forfeiture matters.
