Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi has said the Federal Government does not interfere in the work of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
Speaking with journalists at a management retreat of the Federal Ministry of Justice in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom state, on Thursday, Fagbemi said the President Bola Tinubu-led administration remains committed to strengthening the independence of anti-graft agencies.
“We don’t interfere in the investigation of corruption cases by anti-graft agencies,” he said.
“So, what we do is leave them because they are best suited, they are well organised, and that’s why they are put in place to try and do investigations in respect of an allegation or commission of a crime,” he said.
According to the minister, the government only steps in after investigations have been concluded.
“When they are done with their investigation, we take it up from there and see whether there are gaps or whether there are some other issues to be further investigated,” he explained.
Fagbemi noted that the constitution guarantees the independence of the EFCC and ICPC, adding that the government has no power to influence their operations.
He reiterated that the Tinubu administration is determined to fight corruption to a standstill in order to create room for national development and improved infrastructure.
