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AGF Tasks EFCC, ICPC to model FBI investigations

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The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Mr Lateef Fagbemi, is recommending the adoption of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, (FBI) method of corruptions investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC.

The AGF spoke during  the Food and Energy Security in Africa Conference held in Lagos  on ‘the Rule of Law and attracting International Investment towards Food and Energy Security in Africa’.

Fagbemi said that the FBI would have done diligently investigation before going after the suspects.

My attitude has always been that when the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC,  or  the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC,  is investigating anybody, I prefer the FBI model of the institution. “

The Attorney General of the Federation said while FBI is conducting investigations that nobody hears anything, “but when they call at your doorstep, you have to open the door. Your rights are there. You call your, like they say in America, your attorney.

“You call your attorney, but I bet you what you will ask your attorney to do is to reduce your sentence, to negotiate how your sentence will be reduced.  When they are doing it, nobody hears anything.”

He said the attitude of fighting corruption by saying a big fish has been caught without proper investigation should be discouraged.

Fagbemi said proper investigation before media trial is a more civilized way of fighting corruption.

 “So if you don’t hear that anybody has been arrested, if you don’t hear that anybody has been invited, it is not because actions are negative and not going on. It’s just that I believe that that is a more civilized approach of waging war against corruption.”

“And that will also significantly reduce the impression even outside the country. I have made this point that I don’t believe that the situation is as bad as people are painting it.

  This issue of social media, they would have bastardized and abused the suspects before the truth came out.

So it is important to say this. If you get one, if you want to crush the corrupt official, please do so, but ensure that he does not get off the shackles of the law.

is by so doing that we can help ourselves and help the country. We all have a duty; a civic responsibility to report incidents of corruption, and it is also the statutory duty of the anti-corruption agencies to ensure thorough investigation.”

While noting that corruption is everywhere in the world, he said the government is doing enough to curtail it

“First, I start with an opening statement. Corruption is everywhere in the world. So when I hear people talk of corruption, corruption, as it exists in Africa, it exists in Europe, in Asia, but I will limit my question to this one now.

“In matters of corruption in the energy sector,  we know the effect is like a cancer. Unless you are very careful, you may not be able to stop it. But we are doing our utmost to ensure that this is nipped in the bud, or at least reduced to the bare minimum.”

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FEC Hold Session of Tributes for Buhari, Tomorrow

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will lead the session of tributes for the departed leader

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A special session of the Federal Executive Council in honour of former President Muhammadu Buhari will be held on Thursday 17 July from 1pm.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will lead the session of tributes for the departed leader, according to Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu’s spokesman.

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JUST IN: Court Discharges Ex-Ekiti Governor Fayose of ₦6.9bn Money Laundering Charges

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The Federal High Court in Lagos has discharged former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose of money laundering and theft charges totaling ₦6.9 billion.

Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke, who presided over the case, upheld a no-case submission filed by Fayose’s legal team, ruling that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) failed to establish a prima facie case or link him directly to the alleged offences.

Originally arraigned in 2018 before Justice Mojisola Olatoregun, the case was later reassigned to Justice Aneke at the EFCC’s request.

The anti-graft agency had accused Fayose of receiving ₦1.2 billion for his 2014 governorship campaign and accepting $5 million in cash from then Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, without passing through a financial institution. He was also alleged to have laundered over ₦1.6 billion through companies such as De Privateer Ltd and Still Earth Ltd to acquire properties.

Fayose and his company, Spotless Investment Ltd, were re-arraigned on 11 counts of money laundering and theft, with the alleged crimes said to have been committed during his time in office, involving funds reportedly traced to the Office of the National Security Adviser.

Defending the former governor, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Chief Kanu Agabi argued that the EFCC failed to substantiate its claims and noted that key figures allegedly involved, including Abiodun Agbele, were not charged.

“The predicate offences on which these charges are based do not hold water. Criminal breach of trust and conspiracy are distinct, and no co-conspirator was charged alongside the defendant,” Agabi stated.

Agreeing with the argument, Justice Aneke ruled in favour of the no-case submission and discharged Fayose.

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JUST IN: Sanwo-Olu Warns Against Attacks on LASTMA Officers, Vows Offenders Will Face Full Force of the Law

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Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has reaffirmed his administration’s zero tolerance for assaults on officers of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), warning that anyone found guilty will face the full weight of the law.

Represented by Deputy Governor Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, Sanwo-Olu gave the warning on Tuesday at the Second Lagos Traffic Conference, held in celebration of LASTMA’s 25th anniversary.

The event, themed “Enhancing Traffic Efficiency and Safety on Lagos Roads: Challenges, Opportunities, and Innovations,” marked a key milestone for the agency responsible for managing traffic across the state.

The governor praised the dedication of LASTMA officers who, he said, often operate under dangerous and demanding conditions to maintain road order.

“I want to specially commend the men and women of LASTMA whose unwavering commitment ensures that Lagos keeps moving. Your uniform stands as the thin yellow line between road order and chaos,” he said.

He paid tribute to officers who had lost their lives in the line of duty, calling them heroes whose sacrifices would never be forgotten.

Looking ahead, Sanwo-Olu shared his vision of transforming LASTMA into a technology-driven agency. He revealed plans to invest in AI-powered systems, automated number plate recognition, and drone surveillance to improve traffic flow and incident response across Lagos.

“These innovations will enhance our ability to monitor real-time traffic, ease congestion, and strengthen enforcement,” he said.

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