Justice Minister assures of FG’s commitment to combat corruption

• AGF says FG’ll combat anti-graft war with renewed vigour

As the battle against corruption continues to assume higher momentum, the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, SAN has assured Nigerians that the Federal Government would approach the fight with greater vigour.

In a statement released by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Comrade Salihu Othman Isah and made available to the press in Abuja, Malami gave the assurance when he addressed a non-Governmental Organisation under the aegis of Enough is Enough Anti-Corruption Group which staged a solidarity march to the Federal Ministry of Justice in Abuja on Tuesday.

Malami who addressed the group through his Permanent Secretary, Mr. Taiwo Abidogun told them that the FG will not relent in its anti-graft crusade inspite the obvious challenges including the fact that corrupt individuals were fighting back from all frontiers.

He also added that the FG will soon unveil a National Prosecution team to handle high profile cases on behalf of government; just as he expressed that the anti-graft war should not be left for government alone as the citizenry has great roles to play; hinting that the Federal Government would collaborate with the civil society groups whose primary focus is to fight corruption since they are on the same page with the current administration.

He however charged the group to ensure that they remain calm in whatever effort they implore to contribute their quota in the anti-graft battle, urging them to remain unruly at all time since bad elements might want to hijack their solidarity protest march for their self gains.

Earlier, reading the letter addressed to the AGF before handing it over to the Permanent Secretary who received it on behalf of the Minister, Leader of the group, Comrade Ige Ayeni assisted by his Deputy Team Leader, Ene Obi commended the effort of the Federal Government towards providing leadership and guidance for the nation’s judiciary.

The group therefore solicited necessary legal backing for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for them to deliver effectively, advising that it was important to strengthen its prosecution team by hiring incorruptible Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) to handle corrupt cases on its behalf.

It also advocated the introduction of capital punishment for corrupt leaders as this will serve as deterrent to others, stressing that Nigeria is experiencing failed economy today due to corrupt practices which has eaten deep into the nation’s fabrics.

To quote the group, “We are here in solidarity and support of Mr. President and his administration in the fight against corruption. Dear Honourable Minister, Nigerians want you to ensure that you render necessary legal support to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in performing their duties.

“It is important to strengthen the prosecution; that is to say, they need to hire more incorruptible SANs to fight the corruption cases.”

“There is no doubt that the economy ills facing this country are the results of the corruption, which had eaten deep into the fabrics of our society. For the sake of Nigerians living and not yet born, the fight against corruption is one that we all must be part of.

“This is one of the reasons why we formed this movement, to render support to the on-going effort of Mr. President to fight corruption, and we assume that you shall not relent in your commitment to this purpose. We also ask for the introduction of capital punishment for corrupt leaders as this will serve as a deterrent to others.”

COMRADE SALIHU OTHMAN ISAH

Special Adviser, Media and Publicity 

Office of the Honourable Attorney General and Minister of Justice 

Federal Ministry of Justice, Abuja, Nigeria.

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