By Onilede Titi Faith
The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has described corruption as a grave violation of human dignity and a major threat to Nigeria’s development.
Speaking in Abuja at an anti-corruption stakeholders’ dialogue organized by the African Centre for Media and Information Literacy (AFRICMIL), Fagbemi said corruption continues to undermine democracy, erode trust in public institutions, and deepen poverty.
He emphasized that the fight against corruption goes beyond legal and institutional efforts, calling it a moral obligation for every Nigerian.
“Corruption is not just about stealing public funds. It is a direct assault on the rights and dignity of the people who are denied access to basic services, jobs, and opportunities,” he said.
The minister reaffirmed the current administration’s resolve to uphold the rule of law and ensure the independence and effectiveness of anti-corruption agencies.
Participants at the event, including civil society groups, government officials, and development partners, advocated stronger whistleblower protection, greater transparency in budget implementation, and increased citizen engagement in monitoring public funds.
Fagbemi’s comments come amid mounting pressure from advocacy groups urging the government to demonstrate stronger political will in prosecuting high-profile corruption cases and recovering looted assets.
