The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has stated that individuals found guilty of corruption should not be eligible for state pardons. He emphasized that this measure would serve as a deterrent to others.
Speaking at a roundtable organized by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in Abuja, Fagbemi also cautioned law enforcement agencies against conducting inadequate investigations. He urged them to ensure they have solid evidence before summoning anyone for questioning.
Fagbemi proposed that future constitutional reviews should consider removing the possibility of pardoning those convicted of corruption under the “Prerogative of Mercy.” He believes this change would strengthen the fight against corruption.
A statement from his media aide, Kamarudeen Ogundele, highlighted Fagbemi’s call for cooperation among stakeholders, particularly state Attorneys General, whom he identified as crucial in combating corruption.
The AGF advised state Attorneys General to avoid nepotism, political witch-hunting, rivalry, and bigotry in their work, stressing that legal opinions should be based on facts rather than public sentiment or political polarization.
Fagbemi also warned against media trials and urged anti-graft agencies to conduct thorough investigations before making arrests. He cautioned against filing numerous charges against defendants just to create public spectacle, recommending instead that only a few well-substantiated charges be brought forward to ensure successful prosecution.
“Catch a big fish, but make sure your case is solid. Even if it’s just two or three big cases a year, thoroughness is key,” he advised.
