AGF Fagbemi: No State Pardon for Corruption Convicts

'Seun Ibukun-Oni, Abuja 

DAILY COURIER – The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has called for the exclusion of individuals convicted of corruption from receiving state pardons, emphasizing that such leniency undermines the fight against corruption in Nigeria.

Speaking on Monday at a roundtable organized by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for state Attorneys-General in Abuja, Fagbemi argued that state pardons for those convicted of corruption send the wrong message and fail to serve as a deterrent. He proposed that during the next constitution review exercise, a clause should be included to prevent convicted corrupt officials from benefiting from the Prerogative of Mercy.

Fagbemi stressed the need for thorough and fact-based investigations by law enforcement agencies, warning them to avoid conducting hasty or poorly executed probes just to generate media attention. He encouraged investigators to ensure they have solid evidence before inviting individuals for questioning or making public declarations about their investigations.

In a statement by his spokesperson, Kamarudeen Ogundele, the Minister also urged state Attorneys-General to work in concert with the federal government in the fight against corruption. He advised against allowing nepotism, political witch-hunting, or bigotry to influence their legal actions, especially when it comes to high-profile cases that might serve the interests of state governors.

Fagbemi remarked, "Your legal opinions on cases must be based on facts, as is done in advanced countries. We should not give in to public sentiments or political polarization. Let us be thorough and patient before summoning individuals for questioning."

The AGF also criticized the practice of filing inflated charges against defendants. According to him, charging suspects with multiple counts—sometimes as high as 50—dilutes the strength of the case. Instead, he advocated for focusing on fewer charges that are well-substantiated, suggesting five or six strong counts as sufficient to secure convictions.

Fagbemi’s comments come amid heightened public discourse on corruption in Nigeria, with calls for a more stringent approach to tackling the pervasive issue. His suggestion to remove the possibility of state pardons for those found guilty of corruption reflects a broader push to ensure that anti-corruption efforts in the country are not undermined by political or legal loopholes.

The roundtable event was part of ongoing efforts by the ICPC to foster collaboration between federal and state legal officials in the war against corruption.