Nigeria’s Attorney-General, Lateef Fagbemi, has called for the exclusion of the prerogative of mercy in corruption cases during the next constitutional amendment. He made this proposal at a conference organized by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for state Attorneys General in Abuja.
Fagbemi emphasized the importance of unity in the fight against corruption, urging stakeholders to approach corruption impartially, free from religious, cultural, or political biases. He noted that corruption cases should be excluded from the prerogative of mercy, which allows the President and Governors to pardon or commute sentences.
The keynote speaker, former Attorney-General Kanu Agabi, highlighted the critical role of state Attorneys General in combating corruption, emphasizing their responsibility to protect citizens and ensure the government operates within the law.
ICPC Chairman Musa Adamu Aliyu emphasized the strategic importance of the conference in advancing Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts, highlighting the need for synergy between state Attorneys General and anti-corruption agencies.
Stakeholders, including the Attorney-General of Ebonyi State and the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, reiterated the need for a unified approach in the fight against corruption, emphasizing cooperation between all levels of government and anti-graft agencies.