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AGF moves to block presidential pardon for corrupt leaders
The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has proposed a constitutional amendment to block presidential pardons for corrupt leaders, aiming to strengthen the fight against corruption.
The proposal, made at a one-day roundtable organized by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in Abuja on Monday, seeks to exclude corruption cases from the prerogative of mercy.
The ICPC event, themed ‘Building a Unified Front Against Corruption in Nigeria,’ brought together State Attorneys-General, Commissioners for Justice from all 36 states, and representatives from civil society organizations, the private sector, and other stakeholders to enhance collaboration and strengthen anti-corruption efforts. The roundtable was supported by the MacArthur Foundation.
According to the Minister of Justice, the proposed amendment will be pursued in the next constitutional review to ensure that corrupt leaders face the full weight of the law.
The AGF stated that the proposal would be a significant step toward addressing corruption in Nigeria, a major concern for citizens and the international community.
Several high-profile individuals convicted of corruption in Nigeria have previously received presidential pardons.
Notable examples include the former Governor of Bayelsa State, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, pardoned by President Goodluck Jonathan in 2013, and the former Governor of Delta State, James Ibori, who received a pardon in 2015.
The AGF said, “I have always believed that no one can claim to know everything, and it is through collaboration with others that we achieve the best results. United we stand, divided we fall. In the fight against corruption, everyone is a stakeholder. Believe me, everyone is involved.
“In fighting corruption, we need to focus on the facts, not on where someone is from or their religion. If someone is accused of embezzling money, the focus should be on the facts of the case.
“I suggest that in our next constitutional amendment, matters of corruption should be excluded from the prerogative of mercy. This is the only way we can progress.
“We want to return to an era where showing your passport and mentioning your profession automatically earns you respect. When we travel outside the country, and you reach immigration or border stations, they first ask you, ‘What work do you do?’ Sometimes you feel like hiding your passport, but you have to show it.
“Let us return to this approach when dealing with corruption. We should also avoid the trend of public sentiment influencing actions, especially in Nigeria, where political polarization is rampant. Investigations should be thorough, and charges should be clear and concise.”
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes, Senator Osinakachukwu Ideozu, lauded the proposal, noting that corruption undermines institutions and stifles development. He reiterated the Senate’s commitment to supporting anti-corruption initiatives.
Ideozu stated, “Corruption is not just a legal challenge; it is a social cancer that erodes trust, undermines institutions, and stifles development. It is a problem that requires a comprehensive and multifaceted approach, involving every segment of our society.
“As State Attorneys-General, you hold significant responsibilities in the administration of justice at the state level, and your role in this fight cannot be overstated.
“We must ensure that our justice system operates with the highest level of integrity, where the rule of law is upheld, and where there is no place for corruption to take root. Prevention is always better than cure.”
ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu (SAN), emphasized the importance of collaboration between the ICPC and State Attorneys-General in preventing corruption and promoting good governance.
He explained that the ICPC has been working to strengthen its anti-corruption efforts through preventive measures and enforcement.
Specifically, Aliyu said that the National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NACS) will be enhanced through collaboration.
He stated, “Corruption is a complex problem that has permeated all aspects of life and suppressed development in Nigeria. Both Federal and State institutions are stunted because of multiple harmful practices, greed, and impunity.
“Reaching institutions at the State level requires the involvement of State officials. It demands expertise, collaboration, informed strategies, and knowledge sharing. Knowledge and expertise are not based in one place and are not easily acquired without a determined and focused pursuit, with adequate resources.
“This collaboration with the Attorney General can lead to more effective preventive strategies, enhanced inter-agency cooperation, and a more corruption-resistant public sector. We can also win the confidence of the public in government institutions and the criminal justice system in particular.”
Chairman of the House Committee on Anti-Corruption, Rt. Hon. Kayode Moshood Akiolu, assured the ICPC of legislative backing, stating that the House of Representatives is committed to playing its legislative role in ensuring the federal government’s success in the anti-corruption fight.
Akiolu said, “At a period in our national life when the economy is struggling, citizens are grappling with existential issues, and the government needs all the resources it can get to execute developmental projects and pull our country out of the woods.
“The need to rein in corruption and plug revenue leakages has never been greater. To the uninitiated, it might seem like the government does a lot of talking. But the truth is that corruption is a complex phenomenon to contend with.
“Corruption is a national problem; it is not a federal problem. All hands need to be on deck to help steer the ship of state from corruption-infested waters and onto safe waters where national development can thrive.”
Keynote speaker, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), emphasized the need for a unified front against corruption, while Chairman of the Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes reiterated the Senate’s commitment to supporting anti-corruption initiatives.
According to him, this development will boost the federal government’s anti-corruption drive and promote accountability among public officials.
A panel discussion, moderated by former Lagos State Attorney-General, Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN), featured experts including Mr. Ekpo Nta, former Chairman of ICPC, Prof. Mohammed Tabiu (SAN), Prof. Abdulkarim Kana (SAN) (Designate), and Barr. Hauwa Abubakar, Attorney-General of Borno State.
The discussion identified key challenges and opportunities for enhancing anti-corruption efforts, including addressing corruption-inducing social norms, promoting public education and awareness, and strengthening institutional frameworks.
A 27-year-old Nigerian man, identified only as Popori, has been arrested in Grenoble, France, for allegedly stabbing a fellow citizen, Monday, to death.
It was gathered that the incident occurred on the evening of Friday, November 22, when a fight broke out between two men during an altercation in a grocery store in Grenoble, Isère, France.
DayFR reports that, according to Grenoble Prosecutor Eric Vaillant, who confirmed information from Dauphiné Libéré, the incident occurred around 8:30pm.
The two men were inside an exotic grocery store when an argument broke out, quickly escalating into a violent altercation.
One of the individuals suddenly stabbed the other in the chest, for reasons still unclear.
Emergency services arrived on the scene but were unable to revive the victim.
On Saturday, the Grenoble public prosecutor announced that a 27-year-old Nigerian man had been taken into police custody at 12:30pm as part of an investigation initiated by the local judicial police service.
Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa, the longest serving traditional ruler in Bauchi State, is dead.
Inuwa, the village Head of Beli (Sarkin Beli) in Shira Local Government Area of Bauchi, passed away at the Federal Medical Center Azare, Katagum Local Government Area of the state.
The monarch who was 111-year-old spent 91 years on the throne.
Chief Imam of Beli, Liman Musa Abubakar, confirmed the death of monarch which he described as a great loss to the entire people of Northern Nigeria.
During one of the interviews with Daily Trust in his lifetime, the late monarch had said, “Their grandfather was appointed as village head of Beli. He spent 12 years on the throne. He died and our father was appointed the village head. He spent 17 years. After that, I was appointed to the throne when I was 19 years old. This means that by my calculation, I was born around 19 12 or 1913. I was appointed to the throne around 1933 by the Emir of Katagum, AbdulQadir.”
The monarch lived and worked with four different first class Emirs of Katagum.
“We lived with the Emir of Katagum Abdulqadir who appointed me for 12 years before he left the throne and died six months later. Emir Umaru Faruqu was appointed. We spent 35 years with him.
When he died, his son, Muhammadu Kabiru was appointed. We spent 38 years with Emir Kabiru before he died, Again, after Muhammadu Kabiru, the present Emir of Katagum, Umaru Faruq II, was appointed. We lived with him for Six years.
Late Inuwa had said, “I am almost 91 years old on the throne. Alhamdulillahi, we live in peace with the people. And I gave birth to 11 people. Some of them died, but there are seven of them alive – four men and three women.
Many people interviewed said he was a peaceful ruler who [had] listening ears and worked for the peace of the land.”
Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina State on Monday presented the State’s 2025 Budget Proposal to the state House of Assembly.
This is the second full year budget the governor is presenting to the House, which is in the sum of N682,244,449,513.87, covering Recurrent Revenue and Expenditure.
The Budget’s Recurrent Expenditure stands at the sum of N157,967,755,024.36 representing 23.15% while, Capital Expenditure stands at N524,274,694,489.51 representing 76.85%.
The Governor in his speech, announced that, the total of this budget when compared with that of the 2024, has an increase of N200,535,619,501.61, representing 40% increase.
The Governor, at the beginning of his speech, assured the House that his administration has achieved many of its goals and is on course to meet and exceed its targets.
He insisted that his administration has successfully reversed the tide of insecurity which severely threatened the peaceful co-existence of people in the State.
“Many of our local governments have been restored to normalcy while pushing the bandits to the fringes of the forests and, Insha-Allah, to the end of their existence.
“We have expended a lot of resources in fighting insecurity, and we shall continue to do all we can to protect lives and livelihoods in our dear state. I thank the Honourable Members for your support and dedication to ultimate victory,” he said.
The Governor while ranking MDAs by allocations, revealed that the Economic Sector got N302,246,140,569.76 representing 44.3%, followed by the Education Sector with 95,995,873,044.70 representing 14%.
In the same vein, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development got 81,840,275,739.70 representing 12% while the Ministry of Rural and Social Development got 58,728,146,293.72 representing 9%.
Other sectors such as the Ministry of Water Resources, 53,832,219,322.46 representing 8%, Ministry of Environment, 49,835,521,799.25 representing 7%, Ministry of Health, 43,881,752,172.75 representing 6%, Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs 18,938,508,746.95 representing 3%, Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport 9,684,806,758.56 representing 10%.
Other sectors he said are in the sum of 230,759,902,908.71 representing 31% of the total proposed budget
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