FG Secures 250 Convictions For Terrorism, Criminal Offences – AGF

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, says the Federal Government has secured 250 convictions from the prosecution of terrorism and criminal offences in various courts of law in the country.

Prince Fagbemi made the disclosure at the sectoral ministerial briefing to mark President Bola Tinubu’s one year in office.

The AGF who mapped out the achievements of the Ministry of Justice in the year under review, said it was in furtherance of the Ministry’s mandate in enhancing national security and safety through prosecution.

He hinted that the Federal Government has secured 160 convictions for criminal offences, 87 convictions for terrorism cases, 3 novel convictions in the last one year for extremist terrorism actors involved in the radicalization of children and violence against women.

Fagbemi added that the Justice Ministry in conjunction with relevant security and law enforcement agencies have developed the necessary legal framework for joint investigation and collaboration geared towards the engagement of prosecution-guided investigation in various criminal cases, for successful prosecutions.

He said “there is also enhanced interagency synergy for prosecution of Maritime Cases, Electricity offences, collaboration with public and private sector stakeholders on cybersecurity protection and cybercrime prosecution,

“Following the Ministry’s intervention for the upgrade of facilities designated for trial of terrorism cases, the Ministry has resumed trials of terrorism cases in conjunction with the Legal Aid Council, National Human Rights Commission and other stakeholders.

“The percentage of terrorism cases initiated and corruption cases concluded within the reporting period has been significant, the Justice Minister said.

In addition, the AGF stated that the Tinubu administration facilitated international cooperation on terrorism financing and other trans national crimes.

Fagbemi emphasized that the FG also secured conviction of 13 terrorism financing cases, and had also concluded 150 mutual legal assistance requests and 12 extradition requests from law enforcement agencies and foreign countries.

More so, in line with the cardinal principle of the present administration in the fight against corruption, the Justice Ministry, achieved successes under its international asset recovery and management efforts.

The asset sharing agreement between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Bailiwick of Jersey was signed in February 2024, for the return of £2,125,944 (Two Million, One Hundred and Twenty-Five Thousand, Nine Hundred and Forty-Four proceeds of corruption, the AGF revealed.

“This has been approved by the President to be utilized, for continuation of work on the Abuja – Kano road project.

Fagbemi said in line with the utilisation of the proceeds of Crime Recovery and Management Regulation, 2024, by the Ministry, the objective is to partner sister agencies to ensure transparency, accountability and standardization in the management of recovered assets.

Garry Ochigbo, Edited By Grace Namiji