The Federal Government has firmly declared that defections to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) will not hinder ongoing or future anti-corruption investigations targeting governors and other political figures.
Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, made this known on Friday via a statement issued by his media aide, Mr. Kamarudeen Ogundele. He emphasized that President Bola Tinubu’s administration remains resolute in upholding the rule of law and will pursue justice “no matter whose ox is gored.”
Fagbemi’s statement was a direct response to allegations made by Mr. Paul Ibe, spokesperson for former Vice President and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. Ibe had claimed during a television interview that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Solicitor General of the Federation met with both a former and a sitting South-South governor shortly before their defection to the APC.
Dismissing the allegation as baseless and defamatory, the AGF said:
“The claim is from the pit of hell and at best, a figment of Mr. Ibe’s imagination. The EFCC Chairman and the Solicitor General never met any serving or former governor as alleged.”
He added that although Ibe failed to mention specific names, discerning members of the public could infer who was being referred to. Nevertheless, he urged Nigerians to disregard what he described as a “feeble attempt to discredit” the Tinubu administration’s anti-corruption drive.
Echoing this stance, the EFCC also issued a rebuttal. Its spokesperson, Mr. Dele Oyewale, labeled the allegations as “patently fabricated and in bad taste.” He reiterated that the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, is nonpartisan and remains committed to operating free from political interference.
“Olukoyede has stressed in several fora that he is apolitical and the EFCC is fully insulated against partisan influences,” the statement read.
Both the Justice Ministry and the EFCC reiterated their commitment to transparency and accountability, stressing that political affiliation will not serve as a shield against the law.