The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has clarified the withdrawal of criminal charges against some pr
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has clarified the withdrawal of criminal charges against some prominent Nigerians, insisting the decisions were based strictly on merit and the rule of law.
Fagbemi dismissed claims of political interference.
The cases involved Honeywell Group Chairman, Oba Otudeko, and former Managing Director of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria, AMCON, Ahmed Kuru.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had earlier filed a 13-count charge against Otudeko, ex-First Bank Managing Director, Olabisi Onasanya, former Honeywell board member, Soji Akintayo, and Anchorage Leisure Limited over an alleged fraudulent N12.3bn loan transaction.
On Kuru’s case, Fagbemi explained that the allegations did not establish any personal wrongdoing.
“In the case of Ahmed Kuru, he was not personally connected. The matter involved an AMCON investment of about N20m. Both principal and interest were recovered by the EFCC. It wasn’t in his name, so what offence has been committed?” he said.
He added that other cases involving Kuru, including one linked to Arik Air, were ongoing because “a prima facie case” had been established.
For Otudeko, the AGF said charges were dropped after the complainants withdrew their petition.
“The complainants said they had recovered all they thought was lost. Both parties agreed. So why waste government resources again?” he explained.
Fagbemi rejected suggestions that the Presidency influenced the decision in favour of political allies.
“What has the President got to do with this? It’s a criminal case. The Attorney-General is in place to do what is appropriate. The Tinubu administration does not weaponise prosecution,” he said.
The minister stressed that prosecutions must rest on facts and not be turned into public spectacles.
“When you talk of the rule of law, it does not admit of weaponising prosecution. If a case is not made out, it is not made out. You don’t waste government resources and the time of the courts,” he stated
