The Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, has committed to taking action against any government agency found to be involved in corrupt practices. He has urged both lawyers and the public to report corruption so it can be thoroughly investigated and addressed.
Fagbemi made these comments during a Q&A session at the NBA Conference in Lagos, where he discussed recent reforms undertaken by his ministry. A major part of the updated anti-corruption strategy involves collaborating with subnational governments to ensure that anti-corruption measures are incorporated into state laws and practices.
He also mentioned that, in line with Nigeria’s obligations under the United Nations Convention Against Corruption, his ministry is working with international partners to share intelligence and recover stolen assets held abroad.
Regarding the contract with the Chinese firm Zhongshan Fucheng, which aims to seize Nigerian assets overseas, Fagbemi noted that his ministry has initiated an audit of such contracts and will release the findings at a later date.
Fagbemi highlighted the ministry’s role in supporting and coordinating with anti-corruption agencies, focusing on prosecution and asset recovery. He pointed out that the extension of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NACS) is a significant development, and emphasized the importance of aligning federal and state anti-corruption policies.
The ministry is also working to ensure that subnational governments align with federal policies by engaging with state attorneys-general and using platforms like the General Council of the Bar. Additionally, Fagbemi discussed efforts to ensure compliance with court judgments and the development of an appeal policy to help public sector institutions effectively manage and pursue appeals, addressing rising judgment debts against the Federal Government and its agencies.