Fagbemi Threatens To Prosecute Government Officials

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has threatened to prosecute any official or government agency involved in corrupt practices.

Fagbemi, who dangled the axe while answering questions at a fireside chat during the ongoing Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Annual General Conference, also urged lawyers and other public members to come forward with such information so that it can be investigated and decisive steps taken.

The minister also disclosed that a critical initiative in the federal government’s reviewed anti-corruption strategy is to engage with subnational governments to ensure their buy-in and domestication of anti-corruption measures into their state laws, policies, and practices.

He noted that in line with the country’s obligations under the United Nations Convention Against Corruption, his ministry has begun engagement with foreign allies to share intelligence and information on corruption and recover more stolen assets stashed abroad.

Regarding questions on the contract by the Chinese Firm Zhongshan Fucheng to seize some of Nigeria’s assets abroad, the AGF said his ministry has begun an audit of all such agreements and will make its findings available later.

He said, “In the area of anti-corruption, the Ministry is playing a pivotal role in supporting and coordinating the efforts of our anti-corruption agencies in prosecuting and recovering proceeds of crime.

“The anti-corruption stance of the federal government is adequately captured in the Presidential focus to ensure “Fairer and Safer Playing Field.”

“One major positive development in the anti-corruption agenda is the extension of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NACS)”.

“A key initiative in the reviewed anti-corruption strategy is to engage with subnational governments to ensure their buy-in and domestication of anti-corruption measures into their state laws, policies and practices.

“Furthermore, in line with our obligations under the United Nations Convention Against Corruption, we are also engaging with foreign allies to share intelligence and information on corruption and recover stolen assets stashed abroad.

“Nigeria is a federation, and the federal government’s policies cannot have their desired effect if sub-national governments are not operating on the same page. For this reason, the Ministry is taking measures to cascade federal government policy objectives for the justice sector at the subnational levels.

We are doing this through engagements with the State Attorneys-General, the Body of Attorney-General, and the Nigeria Governors Forum. We are also using other platforms, such as the General Council of the Bar, to engage and share our vision for enhancing the justice sector.

“Concerning respect for the rule of law and enforcement of judgements of the courts, we are constantly engaging with the office of the Inspector-General of Police and other heads of security and law enforcement agencies on the need to ensure compliance with court judgements.

“We are also developing an appeal policy for public sector institutions to enhance their abilities to pursue appeals against decisions of the courts where they are not satisfied, rather than acting with impunity”.

“This policy is also part of a deliberate policy to tackle the issue of rising judgment debts against the federal government and its Ministries and Agencies. Using effective defence strategies and diligent prosecution of appeal cases, the Ministry has made some progress in saving the country from huge debt liabilities,” Fagbemi stated.