Abuja: The Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, has stated that the Federal Government aims to restore public trust and ensure the protection of civil liberties as part of its anti-corruption efforts. Represented by Mrs. Beatrice Jedy-Agba, Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Fagbemi made these remarks during the 2025 African Anti-Corruption Day commemoration in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the event was organized by the Inter-Agency Task Team (IATT) in collaboration with the European Union (EU), Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC), MacArthur Foundation, and Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD). Themed 'Promoting Human Dignity and the Fight Against Corruption,' the program emphasized understanding corruption not just as a legal breach but as a violation of human rights and dignity.
Fagbemi highlighted how corruption deprives governments of resources necessary for public services, undermining trust in institutions and the foundations of democratic societies. He stressed the importance of upholding the rule of law, due process, and civil liberties in combating corruption. He also reinforced the government's commitment to building resilient institutions and a culture of dignity where every Nigerian is treated fairly.
He noted that government agencies are collaborating under an interagency task force to investigate, prosecute, and recover assets tied to corruption. Fagbemi called for the integration of dignity metrics in public service, ensuring that citizens feel respected, and advocated for value-based governance that prioritizes integrity and ethical leadership.
Mrs. Jane Onwumere, Head of the Technical Unit on Governance and Anti-Corruption Reforms (TUGAR), affirmed the event's significance in showcasing shared dedication to eradicating corruption. She emphasized that anti-corruption strategies should protect citizens' rights and well-being, beyond just punishing wrongdoings.
Dr. Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), described corruption as an attack on human dignity, asserting NEITI's commitment to transparency and justice. Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, represented by Assistant Inspector-General Victor Olaiye, stressed the need for individuals with strong integrity to combat corruption effectively.
Dr. Victor Muruako, Chairman of the Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC), highlighted the necessity of strong collaboration among agencies to effectively address the complexities of corruption through resource maximization, information sharing, and coordinated efforts.