Tag: Fagbemi

The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) has hailed Monday’s decision by the Supreme Court, affirming the President’s power to declare emergency rule in any state of the federation and suspend elected officials in the affected state.

Fagbemi, in a statement on Tuesday, said the Supreme Court’s judgment “is a win for all Nigerians,” adding that the decision “is a further consolidation to Nigeria’s fledging democracy and has cleared whatever doubt anyone might have had.”

The statement, issued by his spokesman, Kamarudeen Ogundele, said Fagbemi spoke while reacting to the Supreme Court judgement delivered on Monday in a suit filed by Adamawa State and 10 other Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led states, challenging the emergency rule declared by President Bola Tinubu in Rivers State in March.

Ogundele quoted Fagbemi as saying, “I welcome the judgement of the Supreme Court affirming the power granted the President by the constitution to declare a state of emergency in any state in Nigeria, whenever the situation arises.

“The landmark judgement has further strenghtened our jurisprudence and added another vital ingredients to consolidate our democracy.

“I congratulate all parties in the matter as it is a win for our fledging democracy and has helped to erase any doubt anyone might have had about the action of the President and the endorsement by the National Assembly.

“Nigeria is for all of us, and I assure Nigerians of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration’s commitment to uphold the tenets of democracy and the Rule of Law at all times.”

The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has disclosed that the country has recorded 869 convictions on terrorism related cases since 2017.

Fagbemi said the courts also acquitted 891 terrorism suspects within the same period, adding that what the development shows is that the government complies with due process in its handling of the cases.

The AGF spoke in Abuja on Tuesday shortly after meeting with some United States officials, including the US Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labour, Riley M. Barnes, and the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills Jr.

The US officials did not speak with journalists after the meeting.

Fagbemi said, “The meeting is a follow-up on the one we had about a month or so ago in Washington.

“It is about the issue of terrorism that is going on in the country, and to afford us the opportunity to explain our own side of the story.

“We explained this to them when we visited Washington. But I am happy that they are also here to see things for themselves.

“And, what is important is to also appraise them that, even though we have challenges in Nigeria, it is not religious.

“We have security challenges, and the government is doing its utmost to ensure that these challenges are addressed.

“The one that concerns the Federal Ministry of Justice is about the prosecution of the people arrested in connection with extremism, and we were able to explain to them and tell them how far we have gone and what we are also doing.

“For instance, today, as we speak, terrorism trials are still going on. I have been there today, and I have taken one or two of the cases.

“I want to seize this opportunity to let you know that, as of today that is from 2017 to 2025, we have secured 860 convictions and 891 acquittals, that is, discharges.

“What this speaks to, particularly, the issue of discharges of the defendants, is that we don’t just arrest people and then, you know, clamp them into prison.

“We follow due process. They are profiled. Those who have nothing to do with it are left off the hook. Those whom we believe we have cases against, we take them to court. It is for the court to decide.

“So, whenever the court takes a decision, we comply or abide by the decision, and that is why we have both convictions and acquittals,” Fagbemi said.

On the position of the US officials during the meeting, the AGF said: “I am aware that he is also going to speak later, if not today, before he leaves Nigeria.

“We are not the only agency that they are visiting. They have visited a number of agencies. I am aware, for example, that they visited the Office of the National Security Adviser.

“They have visited the Office of the Chief of Defence Staff and a few other agencies. They have also met with some civil society organisations and religious bodies.

“But, I want to tell you that things are not as heinous as people are portraying. I can assure you of that. We have problems in Nigeria. It is not a problem of religion,” Fagbemi said.

The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN); Justice Helen Ogunwumiju of the Supreme Court; right activist, Femi Falana (SAN) have called for improved funding for criminal justice sector and continuous capacity building for its operators to ensure efficiency.

Fagbemi, Ogunwumiju, Falana and others spoke in Abuja at a public lecture to mark the 10th year anniversary of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), signed into law by then President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015.

The lecture, with the theme : “The Administration of Criminal Justice Act: The past, the present and the future,” was organised by the Centre for Socio-Legal Studies (CSLS), headed by Professor Yemi Akinseye-George (SAN).

Fagbemi, who was represented by the Director, Administration of Criminal Justice Reform, Federal Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Leticia Ayoola-Daniels, said the future of criminal justice reform must be built on effective implementation of the relevant laws and not mere intentions.

The AGF spoke about the many reforms and interventions undertaken by the Federal Ministry of Justice in the last few years, including the refurbishment of three courtrooms in Kirikiri prison in Lagos, which he plans to hand over before the end of the year.

The AGF stressed the need for continuous capacity building trainings for operators of the criminal justice system to increase its performance and ensure accountability.

He said: “It is important that we promote non-custodial measures in sentencing. We need to leverage on technology for speed, transparency and efficiency as this will help to decongest courts’ dockets.”

Justice Ogunwumiju, who was one of those instrumental to the birth of the ACJA, said although the ACJA is not perfect, it has positively impacted on the criminal prosecution system in the country.

She encouraged criminal justice stakeholders to scale up their enforcement of the ACJA in view of its many innovative provisions.

The Supreme Court Justice, who spoke about her experience as a magistrate, advised that trainings and capacity building efforts on the provisions of the ACJA should be directed at the magistracy level where majority of the criminal cases are handled.

Justice Ogunwumiju also spoke about the need to involve the law enforcement agents, particularly the Investigating Police Officers (IPOs), who should be well tutored on what is required of them under the ACJA.

She said it was important that magistrates are educated on issues like long detention, non-custodial sentencing, among others to enable them appreciate the implications of the orders they make.

 Falana, in his lecture, titled: “A decade of the ACJA: Charting the course for criminal justice reform in Nigeria,” argued that the criminal justice system, as it is currently constituted, discriminates against the poor.

He noted that despite the transformative potential of the ACJA, persistent structural and institutional problems continue to hinder its full realization across Nigeria. 

Falana, whose lecture was read by Chionye Obiagwu (SAN) argued that challenges still being experienced in the criminal justice sector expose deeper governance deficits and demonstrate how criminal justice reform is inseparable from issues of political accountability, public finance, and human rights enforcement.

He identified some of such challenges to include poor justice sector funding, weak implementation of the ACJA provisions, inadequate human capacity, low application of technology, among others.

Falana said: “Poor funding translates to inadequate courtrooms, absence of stenographic recording, delayed case files and congested dockets which frustrate ACJA timelines.

“The next phase of ACJA reform must integrate human rights and social justice. Equality before the law will remain fiction if the poor cannot access justice. 

“Legal aid must be constitutionally guaranteed and funded. ACJA implementation should be aligned with Chapter Two rights on welfare, education and social justice,” he said.

Prof. Akinseye-George, who is the President of the CSLS, while addressing the press after the event, identified some salient recommendations contained in the presentations by all the speakers.

The Senior Advocate who stressed the need for judges and magistrates to minimise the use of imprisonment as the only tool deployed to punish crime, assured that the various recommendations would be collated for necessity actions.

He appealed to the National Assembly to urgently pass the Administration of Criminal Justice Bill, which is meant to current some lapses noted in the 2015 ACJA, noting that the Bill has been before the National Assembly since 2023.

Among other speakers at the event were former Chairman of the Senate Committee on Justice, Senator Dahiru Umar; former Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Justice, Prof. Ali Ahmad; Justice Joseph Oyewole of the Court of Appeal and the Director, Legal and Prosecution at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Sylvanus Tahir (SAN).

The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has said the recently publicised presidential prerogative of mercy has not been finalised.

In a statement yesterday in Abuja by his office, the minister said no inmate approved for clemency under the recent exercise of the President’s power of prerogative of mercy has been released from custody.

He added: “The process remains at the final administrative stage, which includes a standard review to ensure that all names and recommendations fully comply with established legal and procedural requirements before any instrument of release is issued.

“It is important to note that the last stage of the exercise, after approval by the Council of State, is the issuance of the instrument for the implementation of the decision concerning each beneficiary.

“This stage affords an opportunity for a final look at the list for remedial purposes, if any, before the instrument is forwarded to the Controller-General of Corrections for necessary action.

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“This verification process is part of the standard protocol and reflects the government’s commitment to transparency and due diligence.

“The Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice appreciates the public’s vigilance and constructive feedback, which continue to strengthen institutional integrity.

“Public engagement is always welcome, as it demonstrates that Nigerians care deeply about justice and good governance.

“There is no delay in the process; it is simply following the law to the letter to ensure that only those duly qualified benefit from the President’s mercy.

“As soon as all legal and procedural checks are concluded, the public will be duly informed. The rule of law does not rush; it ensures fairness.”

The Federal Government has clarified that no inmate has been released yet under the recent Presidential Prerogative of Mercy exercise as the process remains at its final administrative stage.

Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, stated this in a statement on Thursday, noting that the exercise is still undergoing a mandatory review to ensure full compliance with all legal and procedural requirements.

According to the statement, the ongoing process “includes a standard verification to confirm that all names and recommendations meet established criteria before any instrument of release is issued.”

Fagbemi explained that the Council of State’s approval does not immediately translate to release, as the law requires an additional stage—issuance of the final instrument of implementation—to be completed by the Presidency.

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“This stage affords an opportunity for a final look at the list for remedial purposes, if any, before the instrument is forwarded to the Controller-General of Corrections for necessary action,” the AGF said.

He emphasised that the verification process reflects the government’s commitment to transparency, due diligence, and adherence to the rule of law, stressing that “the rule of law does not rush; it ensures fairness.”

While appreciating the public’s vigilance and constructive feedback, Fagbemi noted that such engagement demonstrates Nigerians’ deep concern for justice and good governance.

“There is no delay in the process; it is simply following the law to the letter to ensure that only those duly qualified benefit from the President’s mercy,” he assured, adding that the public will be duly informed once all legal and procedural checks are concluded.

…says cases decided on merit

Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has dismissed claims that President Bola Tinubu is influencing the withdrawal of charges against allies of his administration.

Speaking on Friday at the sidelines of the 2025 Ministry of Justice top management retreat held at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, Fagbemi said the judiciary under the current administration remains committed to the rule of law and independent decision-making.

He explained that some high-profile cases were withdrawn because they lacked substantive evidence, citing the matters involving Honeywell Group Chairman, Dr. Oba Otudeko, and former Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) Managing Director, Ahmed Yusuf.

“What has the president got to do with this? These are criminal cases, and we are doing what is appropriate,” Fagbemi said. “Prosecution must not be weaponised. Each case is treated on its merit. If there’s no case, there’s no need to waste government resources or the court’s time.”

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had earlier filed 13-count charges against Otudeko, former First Bank Managing Director Olabisi Onasanya, former Honeywell board member Soji Akintayo, and Anchorage Leisure Limited, accusing them of fraudulently obtaining N12.3 billion in credit facilities.

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Fagbemi maintained that prosecutorial decisions are based purely on evidence, not politics or sentiment.

He clarified that in the case of former AMCON boss Ahmed Kuru, there was no link to any wrongdoing, saying, “There was nothing to try him for; the matter involved an investment by AMCON of about 20 million.”

He reiterated that the Ministry of Justice would continue to ensure fairness and integrity in its legal processes.

“So both the principal and the interest were recovered by the EFCC. It was not in any individual’s name. So what offence has been committed?

But don’t forget, there are two other cases. There was one involving, I think, about 5 billion, involving another person, whose name I cannot remember now. For that one, because we believe that there is, what I would call, a prima facie case, we said it should continue.

“There is another one against Kuru, in relation to his activities as either a manager or so in Arik Airline. That one, I also found that there are some questions to be answered.

“In other words, we have a prima facie case against him there, and I ordered that that one should continue. So they are on it in respect of that one”.

On Otudeko, he said, “Then, coming to the issue of Oba Otudeko, which has to do with the management of First Bank. What happened was that the complainants came and said, ‘We are withdrawing our complaints.’

“The complainants said ‘we have gotten all that we thought was lost or was taken away’. Both parties agreed. So why do you want to waste government resources again? 

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, has denied reports that the Federal Government recovered $967.5 billion in stolen funds.

Fagbemi stated this in a statement he signed and released yesterday. Athletes’

His words, “In 2024 alone, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission reclaimed over N248 billion, $105 million, and 753 duplexes. The Independent Corrupt Practices Commission also recovered N29.685 billion in cash and $966,900 in assets.”

From 2017 to date, the AGF said Nigeria had worked with international partners to recover about $763.7 million and £6.47 million, noting that around $102.88 million and £2.06 million were recovered in 2024.

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Calling on media houses that published the wrong $967.5 billion figure to correct their reports, Fagbemi said:  “The figure quoted by the writers is false and completely at variance from my remarks.”

He went on to praise the Tinubu led administration transparency, emphasizing that recovered funds are used for important projects.

“From 2017 to 2024, recovered funds helped fund critical infrastructure like the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, the Second Niger Bridge, and the Abuja-Kano Road.  “Asset recovery is key to fighting corruption and building trust in government. Nigeria has earned global recognition for its efforts, and we will continue to pursue transparency and justice.”

…charge stakeholders to renew energy, resolve against substance abuse, illicit drug trafficking

Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, has expressed hope that the recent amendment of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Act by the National Assembly will strengthen Nigeria’s drug control efforts when eventually signed by President Bola Tinubu.

He stated this in his remarks during the opening ceremony of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Drug Control meeting in Abuja on Wednesday 28th May 2025. 

The Minister, who delivered the keynote address, said, “In the past four years, we have witnessed unprecedented efforts by the NDLEA. These achievements include arrests and seizures, convictions, elaborate evidence-based drug demand reduction interventions, using the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) social advocacy platform to sensitize communities on the dangers of drug abuse. 

“Consistent gains have been recorded within the global space, by fostering international cooperation and building strong partnerships. NDLEA has sustained the fight with renewed energy and vigour, giving hope to the once hopeless situation.

“The Federal Ministry of Justice has worked together with the NDLEA to ensure that our national legal system effectively supports the drug control efforts of the agency. We are at the last lap of finalizing the amendment of the NDLEA Act, which will significantly enhance the organizational capability of the agency to control the menace of substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in Nigeria. 

“The Ministry is also providing appropriate support in the area of proceeds of crime management, essential to dismantling the financial networks of drug traffickers.”

The Minister who was represented by the Director, Public Prosecution of the Federation, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, acknowledged the contributions of other law enforcement agencies and stakeholders to the country’s drug control efforts.

He said, “the work of this Inter-Ministerial Committee has been crucial in coordinating a whole-of-government approach to this top burner issue. By bringing together critical stakeholders, we have been able to develop and implement more comprehensive and balanced strategies, applying the collaborative spirit which the NDCMP promotes.”

He commended state governments that have established their own drug control committees and the civil society organisations working at the community levels to ensure more holistic outcomes. 

He charged the gathering to expand prevention programmes to address the root causes of drug abuse, targeting the youths, women, the vulnerable and marginalized persons in communities. 

“Let us leave this meeting with renewed commitment to protecting our youth, securing our communities, and building a healthier, safer Nigeria for generations to come. The commitment made by NDLEA, the IMC and other stakeholders, holds the promise for a drug-free Nigeria”, he added.

In his welcome remarks, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), concurred that the recent amendment of the NDLEA Act will bolster Nigeria’s drug control efforts when it is passed to law.

Marwa said said despite the funding challenges that affected the full implementation of the National Drug Control Master Plan (NDCMP 2021–2025), the Agency remained undeterred in the pursuit of its goal.

 “Instead, we stay resolute, drawing strength from our shared vision, commitment, and collective responsibility to overcome this limitation. Encouragingly, certain developments promise to bolster the achievement of our objectives. 

“One such step is the amendment of the NDLEA Act, which is expected to significantly strengthen the Agency’s institutional capacity in drug supply reduction. 

“I am pleased to inform this esteemed assembly that the Amended Act has been passed by the National Assembly and is currently awaiting Presidential assent,” he said. 

He charged all stakeholders to redouble their efforts.

The NDLEA boss said “I urge us all to renew our energy and resolve to deliver the impact and value needed to confront Nigeria’s evolving and multifaceted drug challenges. Let us bring our voices, passion, and optimism to bear in our deliberations. 

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“May we remain open and forthright in pursuit of our shared goal: the enhancement of health and security for all residents of Nigeria, in line with the aspirations of the NDCMP 2021–2025.”

Assessing major programmes implemented across the strategic pillars of the NDCMP in 2023 and 2024, Marwa said “I can confirm that we have collectively made commendable progress on the Fourth National Action Plan, in comparison with previous iterations. 

“Under the Supply Reduction pillar, our operational efforts and strategic offensives led to the arrest of 31,334 drug offenders, of whom 6,839 were convicted. We also recorded the seizure of 4,333,636.9 kilograms of assorted illicit drugs and undertook the destruction of 426.46724 hectares of cannabis farms.

“Under the Drug Demand Reduction strategic pillar, we provided counselling and rehabilitation services to 19,033 individuals. By accelerating our WADA sensitisation activities across states, local government areas, wards, and communities, we have been able to intentionally disseminate awareness of the dangers of drug abuse to diverse population groups. 

“This has, in turn, fostered a sense of shared ownership and collective commitment in the national effort to curb substance abuse, trafficking, and proliferation across the country.”

Also speaking at the ceremony, UNODC Country Representative, Cheikh Ousmane Toure represented by Dr. Akani Ibanga said Nigeria stands at the crossroads of public health and security sector when it comes to the drug response.

He said, “The urgency of the mission that we have today cannot be overstated. Drug use, as we know, is associated with various things from health to safety to productivity to cohesion and, in fact, to how we respond at the level of our community.”

“As we gather, we must be guided with data, and I’m glad how the chairman has, detailed the responses that have gone on in the different sectors, both in terms of supply reduction, demand reduction, and when it has to do with access to medications. 

“And I think that where we have a country where at least three million people are said to be suffering from drug use disorder, when we did this calculation and you have 39.5 million in the world, that means we’re contributing 7.5 percent to that data as a country. 

“That’s worrisome, and it calls for us to continue in this last leg of implementing the NDCMP to ensure that we are able to follow through with all the commitments that the drug control master plan have laid out for us to do, that we may address these issues that we face.”

• Says $210 in award, deposited bond retrieved

Efforts to recover the cost of prosecuting the case between Nigeria and an Irish firm – Process and Industrial Development (P&ID) Ltd – are ongoing, Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) and Minister of Justice said yesterday.

Fagbemi said it was the entitlement of Nigeria having successfully prosecuted and won the case in a United Kingdom (UK) court.

According to the AGF, errant disclosed that the country has recovered $210 million in award and deposited bond in a UK court towards its defence of the $11 billion arbitral award got against Nigeria by P&ID.

He spoke in Abuja while hosting in his office, a team of lawyers who defended the country in the UK court, led by Ms. Shaistah Akhtar.

Fagbemi hailed the efforts of the lawyers and a former Director of Legal Services at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Kofo Abdulsalam-Alada in the victory recorded by the country in the case.

He said: “The P&ID case presented an unprecedented challenge, threatening to impose a colossal financial burden on the Nigerian people.

“It was a complex and arduous battle, demanding meticulous preparation, astute legal argumentation, and an unwavering commitment to uncovering the truth.

“This victory is not merely a legal triumph; it is a powerful message to the world that Nigeria will not be exploited and that justice will prevail.”

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Ms. Akthar, who was accompanied by Ms. Lydia Allaby, explained that the $10 million paid was to Nigeria from the $20 million awarded in favour of the country after P&ID lost the case.

She added that the outstanding $10 million is a subject of a pending legal challenge by P&ID.

Ms. Akthar noted that the case was among a few of such successful challenges against arbitral award cases.

Abdulsalam-Alada, who retired from the CBN yesterday, acted as the National Coordinator of the government’s legal and investigation team in the case.

He hailed President Bola Tinubu and Fagbemi for refusing to negotiate with those behind the P&ID matter.

Abdulsalam-Alada said 24 hours before the judgment, delivered on October 23, 2023, pressure was still on the AGF and the President to settle out of court.

“Fagbemi and the President rejected the pressure. This has put an end to similar fraudulent transactions that seek to take Nigeria for a ride,” Abdulsalam-Alada said.