The Federal Government has reiterated its effort to focus on access to justice, administration of criminal justice, prosecution, response to litigation, legislative reforms, anti-corruption and promotion of rule of law.
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice (HAGF) Lateef O.Fagbemi SAN, made the statement in Abuja today, May 24th 2024, at the on-going Ministerial Sectorial Updates on Accomplishments of Ministries, Departments and Agencies of Government as part of activities Marking one year in office of the administration of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR).
Fagbemi explained that an efficient justice delivery system is key to ensuring Nigeria’s economic growth and development, as well as ensuring the socio-economic wellbeing of citizens. He added that investors were usually attracted to economies that have institutionalized functional judicial systems and the rule of law.
In Criminal Prosecutions, HAGF explained that, in conjunction with relevant Security and Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs), the Ministry developed a framework for Joint Investigation and Collaboration geared towards the engagement of prosecution-guided investigation in various criminal cases, to address the challenges facing successful prosecutions of cases.
He further explained that “in furtherance of the Ministry’s mandate of enhancing National Security and Safety through prosecution, the Ministry had secured 160 convictions for criminal offences, 87 convictions for terrorism cases, 3 novel convictions for extremist terrorism actors involved in the radicalization of children and violence against women”.
The HAGF revealed that “There is also enhanced interagency synergy for prosecution of maritime cases, electricity offences, collaboration between public and private sector stakeholders on cybersecurity protection and cybercrime prosecution”.
The Attorney-General maintained that the Ministry’s mandate extended to matters relating to financial/Cyber Crimes, Anti-Money Laundering, Terrorism/Genocide and Complex Cases, which includes conviction of 13 terrorism financing cases, successfully concluded 150 Mutal Legal Assistance requests and 12 Extradition requests from Law Enforcement Agencies and foreign countries and enhancing the prosecutorial and litigation capacity of its staff and amongst others.
Fagbemi pointed that a major positive development in the anti-corruption agenda was the adoption of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NACS), which was first adopted by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in July, 2017 spanning 2017 to 2021 but which had now been extended to 2026.
According to him, “The implementation of the strategy was on-going with modest achievements such as increased transparency with the growth of initiatives like Freedom of Information, beneficial ownership disclosures, open contracting, carrying out Routine Corruption Risk Assessments to determine vulnerabilities to corruption, including systems reviews to tackle the anomaly.
The Honourable Attorney-General highlighted that eight Parastatals and Agencies under the Ministry which includes, Regional Centre for International Commercial Arbitration, Lagos (RCICA), Nigeria Law Reform Commission (NLRC), Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, Council of Legal Education (Nigerian Law School), National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Nigerian Copyright Commission, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).
He emphasized that the agencies had made remarkable achievements in their respective capacities through synergy with other agencies and justice stakeholders.
While concluding his scorecard, Fagbemi stated that “I wish to restate the Ministry’s commitment to the achievement of its mandate. We also pledge to continue to pursue the implementation of resolutions reached at the National Justice Summit, 2024”.
“In a Federation and Constitutional Democracy such as ours, collaboration between Federal, State and other stakeholders in the justice sector is critical to drive the reforms of the justice system for national development”. The HAGF further stated.
The Honourable Minister expressed his appreciation to the judiciary for their continued efforts at dispensing justice and strengthening democratic processes.
Modupe Ogundoro Director
(Information & Public Relations)
Federal Ministry of Justice
