The Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, says he’s not afraid to move against any agency of government found to be engaging in corrupt practices.
He encouraged lawyers or any member of the public to come forward with such information so that it can be investigated and decisive steps taken.
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria made these remarks while answering questions on Tuesday at a fireside chat at the NBA Conference held in Lagos on the reforms undertaken by his ministry so far.
Fagbemi also said that a key initiative in the reviewed anti-corruption strategy of the Federal Government is to engage with subnational governments to ensure their buy-in and ensure 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 engaging with foreign allies to share intelligence and information on corruption and recover more stolen assets stashed abroad.
With regards to questions on the contract by the Chinese Firm, Zhongshan Fucheng, seeking to seize some of Nigeria’s assets abroad, the AGF said his ministry has begun an audit of all such contracts and would make its findings available at a letter date.
Fagbemi said, “In the area of anti-corruption, the Ministry is playing a key role in supporting and coordinating efforts of our anti-corruption agencies, in the area of prosecution and recovery of 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 ensure 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 policies of the Federal Government cannot have their desired effect if sub-national governments are not operating on the same page. It is for this reason that the Ministry is taking measures to cascade Federal Government policy objectives for the justice sector to the subnational levels.
“We are doing this through engagements with the State Attorneys-General through the Body of Attorney-General and the Nigeria Governor’s Forum. We are also using other platforms such as the General Council of the Bar to engage on 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 judgements debts against the Federal Government and its Ministries and Agencies.
“Using a combination of effective defence strategies and diligent prosecution of appeal cases, the Ministry has made some progress in saving the country from huge debt liabilities.”
