The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, stated that individuals guilty of corruption should not be offered state pardons.
Fagbemi, who also warned law enforcement agencies against conducting substandard investigations, urged them to gather their facts before bringing anyone for questioning.
According to a statement issued Monday in Abuja by Kamarudeen Ogundele, Special Assistant to the President on Communication and Publicity, Office of the AGF, the AGF emphasised the need for everyone’s cooperation in combating corruption.
According to the statement, the AGF addressed a roundtable hosted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission for state Attorneys General in Abuja on Monday.
The minister said,
“I will suggest in our next constitution review exercise that we expunge those found guilty of corruption from benefiting from powers of ‘Prerogative of Mercy’ to serve as a deterrent to others.
“The cooperation of all stakeholders, especially the AGs, is crucial in the fight against corruption.”
Fagbemi also recommended state Attorneys General avoid nepotism, political witch-hunting, rivalry, and intolerance in the battle against corruption simply because they want to satisfy their governor.
While emphasising that there should be no justification for corruption or criminality, Fagbemi stated that legal opinions on cases must be founded on the facts as practised in developed countries.
“We should not give in to public sentiments. In Nigeria, we are polarised along political lines”, he said.
The AGF recommended participants and anti-graft authorities undertake thorough investigations into cases before arresting suspects to avoid media trials.
He said,
“Let us be thorough and take our time before inviting someone for questioning. Please don’t do a shoddy job and be quick to say we have caught a big fish…You will catch a big fish. If it is two or three big fish you can get in a year and you are thorough, it is alright. ”
The AGF further warned against presenting fake charges against defendants to incite public outrage against the suspect.
“Nobody wants a 50-count charge…make it five or six and be sure. Make sure you get him (suspect) in,” he asserted.
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