The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has issued a stark warning to those impeding the agency's lawful duties. In a statement released to the press on Thursday, Fagbemi underscored the gravity of the challenges facing the EFCC and emphasized the imperative of upholding the rule of law in Nigeria's anti-corruption efforts.
"The bizarre drama confronting the EFCC in the course of its efforts to perform its statutory duty has come to my notice as a matter of very grave concern," Fagbemi stated, expressing deep apprehension over recent incidents of obstruction faced by the anti-graft agency.
Highlighting the EFCC's legal mandate to summon individuals for questioning, regardless of their status, Fagbemi asserted, "The least that we can all do when invited is not to put any obstruction in the way of the EFCC but to honorably answer their invitation."
Fagbemi condemned the actions of public officials who, instead of cooperating with law enforcement agencies, resort to obstructive tactics, labeling such behavior as "insufferably disquieting." He cautioned against flouting the law, emphasizing that evasion only exacerbates the situation at hand.
"I stand for the rule of law," Fagbemi declared unequivocally, vowing to hold law enforcement agencies accountable for any infringement of fundamental rights. However, he stressed the importance of allowing state institutions to function effectively without undue interference.
"Nigeria has a vibrant judicial system," Fagbemi affirmed, asserting the capacity of the legal framework to safeguard the rights of all citizens. Urging compliance with lawful invitations from the EFCC and other agencies, he denounced self-help measures and escapism as detrimental to the nation's reputation.
The AGF's admonition comes in the wake of a high-profile confrontation between EFCC operatives and security personnel attached to Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Usman Ododo, during an attempted arrest of former Governor Yahaya Bello. The security cordon around Bello's residence in Abuja was breached, with the former governor whisked away in the official vehicle of the current Kogi State Governor.
As tensions escalate and the EFCC faces mounting challenges in executing its duties, the AGF's warning serves as a sobering reminder of the need to uphold the rule of law and ensure the effective functioning of Nigeria's institutions in the fight against corruption
