The Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, has stated that individuals who have been prosecuted and convicted for corruption should not receive state pardon.
During a roundtable in Abuja on Monday hosted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for state justice commissioners, Justice Minister Lateef Fagbemi proposed that individuals convicted of corruption should be excluded from receiving the prerogative of mercy. ‘In our next constitutional review, I will advocate for the removal of this benefit for those found guilty of corruption to serve as a deterrent to others,’ stated the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF).
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He emphasized the crucial need for collaboration among all stakeholders, especially the attorneys-general, in the battle against corruption. He urged them to refrain from letting nepotism, political vendettas, rivalry, or bigotry shape their decisions in a bid to satisfy their governors.
Fagbemi called on anti-corruption agencies to conduct thorough investigations before making arrests to prevent media trials. “We must not succumb to public pressure. In Nigeria, we are divided along political lines. Let’s be meticulous and take our time before summoning anyone for questioning. Avoid rushing and claiming you’ve caught a ‘big fish’ without proper diligence. If you manage to catch two or three significant figures in a year while being thorough, that’s perfectly acceptable,” Fagbemi emphasized.
