Fagbemi: Nigerians convicted of corruption should not benefit from state pardon

Lateef Fagbemi, attorney-general of the federation (AGF) and minister of justice, says those who have been prosecuted and convicted for corruption should not enjoy state pardon.

Fagbemi spoke in Abuja on Monday at a roundtable organised by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for state commissioners for justice.

Fagbemi said he would suggest in the next constitutional review that those found guilty of corruption should not enjoy the prerogative of mercy.

“I will suggest in our next constitution review exercise that we expunge those found guilty of corruption from benefiting from powers of the prerogative of mercy to serve as a deterrent to others,” he said.

The minister emphasised the importance of collaboration among all stakeholders, particularly the attorneys-general, in the fight against corruption.

He urged the commissioners to avoid allowing nepotism, political witchhunting, rivalry, or bigotry to influence their actions in an attempt to appease their governors.

“We should not give in to public sentiments. In Nigeria, we are polarised along political lines,” the minister said.

The AGF advised anti-graft agencies to ensure that cases are investigated thoroughly before suspects are arrested to avoid media trials.

“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,” he said.

“If it is two or three big fish you are able to get in a year and you are thorough, it is alright.”

The AGF also counseled against filing bogus counts of charges against defendants just to generate frenzy in the public against the suspect.

“Nobody wants a 50-count charge; make it five or six and be sure.”