Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has firmly rejected claims that President Bola Tinubu has exerted pressure on him to withdraw charges against associates of the current administration. Speaking at the 2025 Ministry of Justice top management retreat held at Four Points by Sheraton Hotel in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, Fagbemi stressed that all prosecutorial decisions are made strictly on merit and guided by the rule of law.
“What has the president got to do with these? These are criminal cases, and we are taking steps we believe are appropriate,” Fagbemi said, distancing the presidency from any interference in legal proceedings.
He reiterated that the justice system under the Tinubu administration is not influenced by politics or personal interests, emphasizing that each case must be judged independently. “Prosecution, under the rule of law, must never be weaponised. Every case should be evaluated on its own merit. If no case is established, then there’s no reason to waste the court’s time or public resources,” he added.
Citing specific high-profile cases, Fagbemi pointed to the withdrawal of charges involving Honeywell Group Chairman, Dr. Oba Otudeko; former First Bank MD, Olabisi Onasanya; former Honeywell board member Soji Akintayo; and Anchorage Leisure Limited. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had previously filed a 13-count charge against them over alleged fraudulent transactions amounting to N12.3 billion.
Fagbemi explained that the case was dropped after the complainants formally withdrew, stating that all losses had been recovered. “Both parties reached a resolution. So why should the government continue to expend time and resources on a settled matter?” he asked.
On the case of former AMCON Managing Director, Ahmed Kuru, Fagbemi clarified that there was no basis to prosecute him in one of the cases as the funds involved were recovered and linked to AMCON, not an individual. “There was no offence committed,” he said.
However, he confirmed that other cases involving Kuru are still active. “There’s one case involving about N5 billion, where we established a prima facie case and directed that prosecution should proceed. Another case linked to his time with Arik Air is also ongoing, as there are questions to be answered,” Fagbemi added.
Beyond the specific cases, the AGF highlighted ongoing reforms aimed at transforming Nigeria’s justice system. He announced that the federal government has begun integrating technology into judicial processes to speed up trials, reduce congestion in correctional facilities, and eliminate systemic inefficiencies.
“The justice sector is essential to national development. Without access to justice and adherence to the rule of law, sustainable progress is impossible,” he stated.
He acknowledged challenges such as delayed trials, overcrowded prisons, and outdated procedures, stressing the need for urgent, tech-driven solutions.
“As Nigerians increasingly rely on technology for services, the Ministry of Justice must move beyond manual processes. If we are to meet the expectations of the people and support the President’s justice reform agenda, we must adopt digital tools for faster and more effective service delivery,” Fagbemi said.
He concluded by calling for continuous innovation in the justice system: “Justice must never sleep. The demands of our society require that we keep the wheels of justice in constant motion.”
