25/08/2026
24th August, 2026
President of the Court of Appeal Calls for Stronger International Cooperation in Fight Against Economic Crime.
The President of the Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice Monica Bolna’an Dongban-Mensem, CFR, has delivered a keynote address at the 43rd International Symposium on Economic Crime, held at Jesus College, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom.
The Forty-Third Annual International Symposium on Economic Crime brings together from across the globe a unique depth of expertise to address issues relating to the protection of economies and institutions from economically motivated crime and abuse.
Held annually and hosted by Jesus College, Cambridge, the Symposium is organised under the auspices of the Centre for Geopolitics of the University of Cambridge, with the support of governmental and academic institutions from around the world. It has established itself as one of the leading non-governmental platforms for discussions on the prevention and control of economic crime, attracting nearly 2,000 participants annually, including government officials, law enforcement officers, prosecutors, judges, legislators, financial intermediaries and their advisers, compliance personnel, legal and accounting practitioners, and academics from more than 100 countries.
Delivering a keynote address, the president of the Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, CFR, emphasised the far reaching human and societal consequences of corruption, noting that every act of corruption represents more than a financial loss.
According to her, particularly in Nigeria, behind every stolen public resource lies a human consequence, including schools that remain unbuilt, hospitals that remain unequipped, infrastructure left incomplete, and communities deprived of essential services and opportunities.
Justice Dongban-Mensem, therefore stressed that asset recovery should not be viewed merely as the recovery of money or property, but as an essential component of restoring justice.
She noted that effective asset recovery affirms the principle that public resources belong to the people and must be administered in the public interest.
The President of the Court of Appeal highlighted the importance of international and comparative engagement in tackling economic crime, observing that no jurisdiction possesses a monopoly on legal knowledge or institutional experience.
She said the exchange of perspectives among common law, civil law and mixed legal systems enriches collective understanding and facilitates the development of responses that are both effective and consistent with constitutional values.
Justice Dongban-Mensem identified key questions confronting jurisdictions worldwide, including how to prevent illicit wealth from escaping accountability, establish evidential standards that are fair and effective, and balance the interests of victim communities with the legitimate concerns of institutions involved in asset recovery.
She maintained that these challenges demonstrate that asset recovery is not merely a technical legal exercise.
While acknowledging progress in supporting victim communities, the Court of Appeal President called for continued efforts to strengthen restorative justice systems and institutional capacity, particularly in jurisdictions where illicit assets are identified, concealed or located.
She further emphasised that the administration of recovered assets must be guided by transparency, integrity and public accountability.
“Responsible stewardship ensures asset recovery is not complete upon the identification and seizure of assets,” she said, stressing that recovered assets must be lawfully preserved, transparently managed and appropriately utilised.
Justice Dongban-Mensem also underscored the need for collaboration among judges, prosecutors, investigators, legislators, regulators, financial institutions, academics and civil society organisations, noting that the challenges posed by economic crime cannot be overcome by any single institution, jurisdiction or profession.
She called for collective action to ensure that the pursuit of accountability does not compromise the integrity of justice, that international cooperation strengthens rather than weakens constitutional protections, and that innovation remains firmly anchored in the rule of law.
As the Symposium commenced, the Court of Appeal President urged participants to engage with openness, professional humility and a shared commitment to constitutional values.
She expressed the hope that the deliberations would generate practical, innovative and sustainable solutions, enhance international cooperation, and deepen the collective understanding of the complex and evolving nature of criminality in an interconnected world.
Justice Dongban-Mensem concluded by reaffirming the importance of unity and international collaboration in confronting criminal threats, declaring that justice prevails when nations collaborate, institutions act with purpose, and commitment to the rule of law remains resolute.
She called on participants to make the Symposium a defining moment in reaffirming the shared determination to confront criminal threats with resolve, integrity and unity, stressing that no criminal enterprise, however powerful or complex, should be beyond the reach of justice.
