- Fagbemi explained that the justice ministry only steps in after anti-graft agencies conclude their investigations into alleged criminal activities.
- He insisted the constitution already safeguards the autonomy of anti-graft bodies, restricting government from interfering in their investigations.
The attorney general of the federation (AGF) and minister of justice, Lateef Fagbemi, on Thursday said the federal government would continue to guarantee the independence of anti-graft agencies.
Fagbemi spoke with journalists on the sidelines of a top management retreat of the Federal Ministry of Justice in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State.
He said President Bola Tinubu’s administration would maintain the autonomy of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission in the fight against corruption.
The minister stressed that government had no hand in investigations launched by the anti-graft bodies against individuals or organisations.
“We don’t interfere in the investigation of corruption cases by anti-graft agencies,” Fagbemi said.
“So, what we do is leave them because they are best suited, they are well organised, and that’s why they are put in place to try and do investigations in respect of an allegation or commission of a crime,” he added.
According to him, the Ministry of Justice only receives cases after the completion of investigations by the agencies.
“When they are done with their investigation, we take it up from there and see whether there are gaps or whether there are some other issues to be further investigated,” he explained.
He said the constitution had already guaranteed the independence of the agencies, and government could not interfere in their work.
Fagbemi reaffirmed the administration’s resolve to pursue the anti-corruption drive to a standstill to fast-track national development.