The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) hinted on Friday, May 24, that the federal government will not intervene in the treason trial of the leader of the proscribed separatist group, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
He spoke in Abuja while reacting to a question on why the FG did not handle the Kanu case the way it did in relation to the cases involving politician and online publisher, Omoyele Sowore and Yoruba nation agitator, Sunday Igboho.
Since the case was currently before a competent court, he said, it was better to allow the court to conclude the trial and render its decision.
Fagbemi also pointed out that the cases of Kanu and Sowore were not the same.
He said he went through the files of both cases and found that the cases were not the same.
The AGF said when there was the need to decide on the cases, he had no difficulty in deciding that which one should go and which one should not go.
Fagbemi noted that Kanu was not being unlawfully held, but that “he is being held under the rules and laws of the nation.
“I know that the matter is in court. Let us wait for the decision of the court,” Fagbemi said.
Earlier while making a presentation about the achievements of his ministry in the first year of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, Fagbemi said the government has done well so far.
He said so far, the president has done well in addressing the challenges of the justice sector.
Fagbemi said: “Generally, in relation to the administration of justice, the President has done well. I am sorry, it is a pity that I am on this side of the divide. But my reaction would not have been any different if I were on the other side.”
He noted that one of such interventions by the President was the increase in the retirement age of High Court judges from 65 to 70 years.
The AGF added: “For the first time in the history of this country, we have the full complement of Justices of the Supreme Court, which is now 21.
“The other one is the increment in the salary and employment of judicial officers. Everything has been done. “
He also spoke about the increase in budgetary allocation to the Judiciary, including his ministry.
On the increasing cases of abduction of journalists by state security agents, Fagbemi advised that whoever is invited for questioning by security agencies should honour such invitation and provide such agencies with the information or clarifications requested.
The AGF said he would not subscribe to undue violation of citizens’ rights and unlawful detention of Nigerians by security agencies under any guise.
He said his ministry achieved some successes in the area of international asset recovery and management efforts.
The AGF added: “The Asset Sharing Agreement between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Bailiwick of Jersey was signed in February 2024 for the return of £2,125,944 proceeds of corruption.
“This has been approved by the President to be utilized for the continuation of works on the Abuja-Kano Road project.
“The Ministry, on behalf of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, on April 25, 2024, concluded negotiation of a Settlement Agreement with Glencore International A.G. wherein Glencore is expected to pay the sum of $50 million USD as penalty and compensation for certain activities in Nigeria.”
Fagbemi said his ministry, with support from relevant agencies is developing the Proceeds of Crime (Recovery and Management) Regulation, 2024 “to ensure transparency, accountability and standardization in the management of recovered assets, in line with global best practices.
He said the document is being finalized for validation.
The AGF said that following the lesson learned in the Process and Industrial Development Limited (P&ID) case, where a UK Commercial Court set aside an arbitral award of over $ 11 billion granted against Nigeria, the ministry has devised means to avoid a recurrence.
“I am pleased to report that due to concerted efforts of our legal team, Nigeria has been awarded interim costs in the sum of £20Million against P&ID.
“Useful lessons have been learnt from this case, which had the potential of wiping off our entire foreign reserves.
“As noted by the English Court, the genesis of the case is traceable to a flawed contractual agreement that was tainted with fraud.