The Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu is calling for the establishment of special anti-corruption courts in Nigeria.

He said such courts would reduce the burden on regular courts and fast track corruption cases.

Senator Ekweremadu, who was also decorated as the Anti-corruption Ambassador, made the suggestion on Tuesday while hosting a team from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja.

He said: “I have been an advocate of special courts for the trial of corruption cases and I believe that other countries, who have enacted law establishing such, are not fools because there are benefits to be derived there from. The idea is to expedite trial to make sure that those who are involved in corruption matters will have their day in court

“When we have special courts, just as we have the National Industrial Court, such courts will do better than they are doing now.

“The establishment of special courts is not just something that will be done by an act of the National Assembly. We have to amend the constitution to bring it about under section 6, for the purpose of trying corruption cases.”

He also cautioned the EFCC to ensure that the rule of law was upheld and the provisions of the constitution regarding fair hearing was respected in their fight against corruption.

The Deputy Senate President further assured the anti-graft agency’s officials that the National Assembly would do everything within its powers to ensure that speedy attention would be given to bills aimed at strengthening the fight against corruption.

•Photo shows Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu.

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