Falana: Federal Justice Ministry Frustrating Anti-graft Fight

Femi Falana, SAN, a human rights lawyer, stated on Thursday that the Federal Ministry of Justice had not prosecuted a corruption case since 2015.

He went on to say that the Ministry has purposefully stopped several corruption cases in court by filing a Nolle Prosequi application, which signifies the government is no longer willing to pursue them.

He delivered a speech titled ‘State of Anti-Corruption in Nigeria: Assessment of 2021 and Agenda for 2022’ at the HEDA Resource Center’s anti-corruption situation room.

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“The ministry of justice has not pursued a single corruption case since 2015,” Falana claimed. This must be communicated to the president. On the contrary, some of the cases are purposefully destroyed by the ministry through a process known as Nolle Prosequi prosecution.

“That is, if someone stole N20B, the Attorney General would file an application in court stating that we are not willing to prosecute.” If we wish to fight corruption, we must cease using this tactic; instead, we must take everyone to court and convince the judge that he has no case to answer.”

Falana further stated that the administration would not be taken seriously in its fight against corruption unless all pending anti-corruption laws were passed by the national legislature.
“This regime cannot be taken seriously in its fight against corruption unless all pending anti-graft bills in the national assembly are passed,” he stated.

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Former Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Financial Crimes, Kayode Oladele, also spoke out, describing Abba Kyari’s detention as a ruse to prevent him from being extradited.

Many politicians, he claimed, had used the tactic in the past.