Group Hails AGF Over Landmark Legal Victories

The Bola Ahmed Tinubu Ideological Group has commended the attorney-general of the federation and minister of justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) over some recent landmark legal victories, describing him as the “quiet architect” of the Tinubu administration’s legal stability.

In an assessment of the performance of the Federal Ministry of Justice under President Bola Tinubu, the convener of the group, Hon. Bamidele Atoyebi, in Lagos, credited Fagbemi with securing landmark victories that have strengthened fiscal accountability, protected Nigeria’s constitutional integrity, and saved the country billions of dollars in potential liabilities.

According to him, in his first year in office between 2023 and 2024, the ministry secured 250 convictions, comprising 160 for various criminal offences, 87 terrorism-related cases, and three novel convictions targeting the radicalisation of children and violence against women.

Atoyebi noted that Fagbemi’s tenure has also been marked by aggressive asset recovery efforts and high-level negotiations.

“In April 2024, the ministry concluded negotiations with Glencore International AG, resulting in a $50 million penalty and compensation for the company’s past activities in Nigeria.

“Similarly, in February 2024, the Attorney General oversaw the signing of an asset-sharing agreement with the Bailiwick of Jersey, facilitating the return of £2,125,944 in proceeds of corruption,’’ he said.

Atoyebi further disclosed that in February 2026, the federal government recorded another major victory after defeating UK-based firm European Dynamics in an international arbitration.

The legal team successfully proved that the company failed to deliver a functional e-procurement system, saving Nigeria $6.2 million. He said the outcome made Nigeria the first African country to defeat the firm in such proceedings.

He also referenced the resolution of the long-running dispute with Process and Industrial Developments in the United Kingdom courts, which led to the recovery of a $200 million bond and $10 million in legal costs. The settlement ended a decade-long legal battle that had exposed Nigeria to a potential liability of over $11 billion.

‘’In addition, the ministry intervened in the £15 billion Petro Union case, blocking what Atoyebi described as predatory litigation allegedly based on forged documents from the 1990s,’’ he said.