The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) has called for collaboration of all stakeholders, particularly the Attorneys General, in the fight against corruption in the country.
Fagbemi made the call during a roundtable meeting organised by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offices Commission (ICPC) for the state Attorneys General last Monday in Abuja.
In a press released by Kamarudeen Ogundele, the Special Assistant to the president on Communication and publicity, office of the minister, Fagbemi 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, ”
He warned the Anti-graft Agencies to try to avoid nepotism, political witch-hunting, rivalry, and prejudice in their fight against corruption, even if it means disappointing their governors.
“Your legal opinions on cases must be based on facts as practised in advanced countries.
“We should not give in to public sentiments as in Nigeria, we are polarised along political lines’’.
Fagbemi also said , that there should be no justification for corruption or criminal activities.
“Let us be thorough and take our time before inviting someone for questioning. 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 are able to get in a year, and you are thorough, it is alright.”
