The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, has said the present administration will continue to guarantee the independence of anti-graft agencies in the fight against corruption.
Fagbemi said this while speaking with newsmen on the sideline of a Top Management Retreat of the Federal Ministry of Justice held on Thursday in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom state.
He was reacting to insinuations in some quarters that political undertones were involved in the recent withdrawal of charges against some high profile Nigerians by the Federal Government.
Fagbemi particularly mentioned the cases involving the Chairman of Honeywell Group, Oba Otudeko, and the former Managing Director of Assets Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON), Ahmed Kuru.
According to him, the President Bola Tinubu-led administration will continue to ensure the independence of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in the fight against corruption.
Fagbemi said that the Federal Government does not interfere in any investigation instituted against any person or organisation allegedly involved in criminal activity by the anti-graft agencies.
“We don’t interfere in the investigation of corruption cases by anti graft agencies
“When they are done with their investigation, we take it up from there and see whether there are gaps or whether there are some other issues to be further investigated,” the minister said.
He said that the constitution guaranteed the independence of the anti-graft agencies and so government could not in anyway interfere in their investigations.
Fagbemi reiterated the present administration’s determination to fight corruption to a standstill to enhance development of infrastructure.
On the withdrawal of charges against the Managing Director of Fidelity Bank, Dr Nneka Onyeali Ikpe, the AGF stated, “Those allegations related to events before she became Managing Director. It would be dereliction of duty to allow any person to face criminal prosecution without probable cause and personal culpability.”
Fagbemi also dismissed the insinuation that he was under pressure from the Presidency to drop charges for friends of the current administration.
He said the administration of President Bola Tinubu would not weaponise prosecution, adding that cases are handled by merit and in line with the rule of law.
