The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, (SAN) warned yesterday that local government chairmen and councilors who embezzle council funds do so at the risk of going to jail.
Fagbemi, who spoke in Abuja at the opening session of the validation meeting of the National Anti-corruption Strategy (NACS) Action Plan 2022-2026, said the efforts that led to the recent judgment on financial autonomy to local governments were not a waste.
Fagbemi observed that some have continually argued that unless the task of conducting local government election is transferred to another body, the Supreme Court judgment may not have any meaningful impact.
The AGF said his view has always been that such issues would be addressed when they arise.
He tasked the various anti-corruption agencies to be up and doing because they are required to oversight the deployment of funds at the Local Government level.
“I told them that when we get to the bridge, we will cross it. But one thing I keep saying is that the governors have immunity, but local governments chairmen do not have. The counsellors don’t have. So, it will be very easy to put them where they belong.
In any event, we need activities at the local government level. They are not to be over-sighted by anybody, except by the critical anti-corruption agencies – the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practice and other related offences Commission (ICPC), the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), the police and others, when the need arises.
“And as often as the need arises, we will deal with that aspect.
“So, if a governor asks you to go and commit a crime and you accept, he will not follow you to Kuje or Kirikiri. No, you are on your own.
“So, this is a challenge to the anti-corruption agencies and I know that they are up to the task,” Fagbemi said.
He argued that it was not necessary to preach to those who will be at the helm of affairs at the local government level because they are expected to be able to read and write and differentiate right from wrong.
“You don’t have to preach to anybody. Those who would become Chairmen and Counsellors, at least they should be able read and write. They will know that it is a crime to steal and that if you steal, the penalty is there,” he added.
He said the vision of the NACS is to ensure “a Nigeria that is free of corruption for sustainable human development,” while the mission statement is “to provide a holistic national anti-corruption strategy for all sectors and stakeholders in the fight against corruption.”
The AGF recalled that the first NACS was for between 2017 and 2021, adding that the NACS Action Plan was developed, validated and adopted by relevant stakeholders on the 26th March, 2018.
He explained that at the expiration of the initial NACS, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) considered and approved the extension of the implementation of NACS 2017-2021 for another four years.
The AGF explained that the NACS Action Plan 2022 – 2026 is a product of series of consultation and collaboration between the 22 ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Government with anti-corruption and accountability mandates.
He added that the framework for the NACS Action Plan implementation is focused on five pillars which serve as the driving force for both the public and private sector and the national and sub-national levels of government.
Fagbemi identified the five pillars to include prevention of corruption, public engagement, campaign for ethical re-orientation, enforcement and sanction and recovery and management of proceeds crime.