THE Federal Government has dismissed allegations that recent defections to the All Progressives Congress (APC) were linked to efforts by some politicians to evade prosecution, insisting that ongoing corruption investigations will continue regardless of party affiliation.
Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, issued the clarification in a statement released on Friday by his media aide, Kamarudeen Ogundele.
Fagbemi responded to comments made by Paul Ibe, spokesperson for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, during a recent television interview.
Ibe had alleged that top officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Federal Ministry of Justice met with a former and a serving governor from a South-South state, 48 hours before their defection to the ruling APC.
Although Ibe did not name the individuals involved, the statement by the Attorney-General suggested the public could infer their identities.
Fagbemi rejected the claim outright, stating, “The allegation is from the pit of hell, and at best, a figment of imagination of Mr. Ibe.” He added, “We know as a fact that the EFCC Chairman and the Solicitor General of the Federation never met any serving or former governor as alleged by him.”
He urged Nigerians to ignore the claims, describing them as an attempt to undermine the administration’s anti-corruption efforts. “We appeal to the members of the public to disregard the insinuation as it was a feeble attempt to discredit President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration’s fight against corruption.”
The Attorney-General maintained that the current administration remains committed to the rule of law and will not allow political considerations to interfere with the pursuit of justice.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration will continue to uphold the rule of law and will not falter in the fight against corruption no matter whose ox is gored,” he said.
The EFCC also released a separate statement, through its spokesperson Dele Oyewale, denying the allegation. It said that Ibe’s remarks during the May 22 interview were based on “theories, conjectures and assumptions” tied to opposition politics and political defections.
The Commission described the claim as “patently fabricated and in bad taste,” reaffirming that its Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, has consistently maintained a non-partisan stance. “Olukoyede has stressed it at several fora that he is apolitical and the EFCC totally wired against partisan tendencies,” the statement read.
It added, “The public is enjoined to disregard the alleged meeting with the unnamed governor as it only exists in the imagination of Ibe.”
The remarks from both the Ministry of Justice and the EFCC come amid growing scrutiny over the political implications of recent defections and the credibility of anti-corruption measures under the Tinubu administration.