The Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) has come under scrutiny from Nigerian legal professionals for reportedly facilitating the training of certain Federal High Court judges in the United Kingdom. The lawyers contend that AMCON, a government agency, sponsored the overseas training of these judicial officials.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Reports indicate that the Managing Director of AMCON, Ahmed Kuru, and the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), Modibbo Tukur, were actively involved in organizing the annual training for the judges in London.

Sources have alleged that despite a majority of the training’s resource persons being based in Nigeria, AMCON funded the travel and training expenses of the judges, resulting in a significant expenditure….CONTINUE READING

The judges, including Chief Judge of the Federal High Court Hon. Justice John T. Tsoho and Justice A.O. Faji, were reportedly in London for the training, which began on July 31, 2023, and was inaugurated by Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the UK, Sarafa Tunji Isola.

Critics have expressed concern over AMCON’s decision to sponsor judges for training, especially as the agency has ongoing cases before the court. They argue that this action creates an ethical conflict, potentially undermining the separation of powers and judicial independence.

Lawyers within the Nigerian Bar Association’s WhatsApp group have voiced their condemnation of the situation. They question why AMCON, a party involved in multiple court cases, is providing training to a group of judicial officers responsible for adjudicating such cases.

One lawyer pointed out, “For a party to a class of cases to be training a class of judicial officers to handle their cases is rather scandalous and a terrible insult on the separation of powers and independence of the judiciary. This culture of never saying ‘no, thank you’ has eroded our nation’s ethical foundation.”

While the Federal High Court judges’ training organized by AMCON raises concerns, legal professionals are advocating for more appropriate training mechanisms, such as collaboration with institutions like the National Judicial Institute, the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, and law faculties, which would uphold the integrity of the judiciary’s independence.