The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), has expressed the Federal Government’s determination to fight corruption legally and without fear or favour.
Malami said this on Thursday during his official assumption of duty in Abuja.
He said as the Chief Law Officer of the nation, “I am prepared to carry out my constitutional duties in this regards with all the enablement that God has given me.
“The fight against corruption must be fought legally, without fear or favour, affection or ill-will and in line with international best practices”, he said.
He also pledged to ensure access to justice through improved training and welfare of legal officers of the ministry.
“The ministry, under my watch, shall continue to work with other government agencies to resolve complex and cross border crimes.
“My promise is to revolutionise the critical sector in the ministry within the shortest possible time.
“We shall put in place structures as may be required to eliminate wastages in human resources and accelerate the pace of reforms in the spirit of good governance.
“We, therefore, cannot make excuses for failure”, he said.
The minister also lamented the level of compromise, especially during investigation, in corruption cases.
He urged the law officers to remain steadfast in the fight against corruption, saying that he believed that with their efforts, the staff could re-energise the judicial sector.
The minister, after listening to the transportation challenges facing the legal department, donated a Toyota Jeep to assist in conveying the lawyers to court.
In his remarks, the Solicitor-General of the Federation, Mr Taiwo Abidogun, called on the management, Staff and the media to support the minister to achieve the judicial system that Nigerians were yearning for.
Also speaking, the Director of Public Prosecution, Mr Mohammed Diri, called on the minister to ensure mentorship of the law officers in the ministry and to cater for their welfare.
Accordijg to Diri, the enactment of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 resulted in the transfer of 4,000 criminal cases from the Police to the ministry.
Diri, however, said that the ministry had qualified lawyers that could handle the criminal cases in the department. (NAN)
