President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed worry over what he calls the delay of corruption cases before various courts across the country.

Buhari called the attention of Nigerians to deferred corruption cases in his speech, during the anti-corruption summit in Abuja, on the role of judges in the fight against corruption.

He said the expectation of the Nigerian public was yet to be met with regards to the removal of delayed cases filed before the courts.

Buhari noted that it was unfortunate that the courts were tolerating delay by defense lawyers in the various cases of corruption filed by the government.

He raised concerns that no corruption case before any Nigerian court was progressing as it should, despite the provisions of the administration of Criminal Justice Act, which has made provisions for speedy trial.

The President observes that when cases are not concluded, it sends a negative message that corruption pays.

Two judges, Justice Mohammed Yunusa of the Federal High Court, Lagos Division, and Justice Olamide Oloyede of the High Court of Justice, Osun State, have been relieved of their job by the National Judicial Council over alleged misconduct.

Their sack followed a meeting by the NJC on Saturday, which recommended the compulsory retirement of the two judges to President Muhammadu Buhari.

A statement by the NJC explains that its “hammer came on Mr. Yunusa for allegedly issuing illegal court orders blocking investigation by government agencies into alleged financial misappropriation by some public officers”.

The decision followed a petition by a non-governmental organisation, civil society network against corruption.

In the case of Mrs Oloyede, the NJC states that she was retired based on its findings that she failed to uphold the dignity of her office by maintaining impartiality and independence of the judiciary.

She was said to have written a petition laced with unsubstantiated allegations against the Osun State governor and his deputy, and circulated same to the members of the State House of Assembly, other individuals and organizations.