…Detaches FG from abduction of Journalists
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, Friday disclosed that the Federal Government has secured 250 criminal convictions within the last one year.
He hinted that 13 convictions relating to terrorism financing cases were also secured within the last one year.
Fagbemi also explained why the administration of President Bola Tinubu refused to drop the charge against the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu.
Fagbemi stated this while presenting his scorecard at the ongoing Ministering Sectoral Updates held in Abuja.
While relaying how it was achieved, Fagbemi told newsmen that the ministry, in conjunction with relevant security and law enforcement agencies, developed a framework for joint investigation and collaboration.
He stressed further that efforts are in top gear to avoid any impediment towards successful prosecution.
The AGF said: “The percentage of terrorism cases initiated and terrorism cases concluded within the period has been significant,”
“Within the period under review, “we secured 166 convictions of criminal cases among them were 87 convictions for terrorism cases.
“I’m pleased to report that the ministry has resumed the trial of terrorism cases in conjunction with the Legal Aid Council and the National Human Rights Commission and other critical stakeholders.
“625 cases were initiated against the President, the Federal Government of Nigeria and its agencies before states, federal and ECOWAS courts within the same period.”
On incessant abduction of journalists that has been recorded lately, the Minister detached the President Bola Tinubu government from the incident, saying the current administration is operating on rule of law and justice.
He assured that regardless of whether a journalist was involved or not, “no one will be held outside the laws of the country.
“You don’t rationalize justice, you dispense it. If people deserve to be released, you release them.”
Why dwelling on Nnamdi Kanu detention and trial, the AGF described the allegations against the IPOB leader as a serious one, saying his fate would only be determined by the court.
Fagbemi insisted that since the matter is already pending in court, the law should be allowed to run its course.
He said: “Sowore and Kanu are not the same. When it comes to the first one, I did not have difficulty to say, go. ” But, I have difficulty with the second one.”
Kanu’s detention, according to him, was in accordance with the Constitution, “the matter is still in court, let’s wait for the court.” the AGF added.
