Renowned Political Economist and Director of the Commonwealth Institute, Prof Anthony Kila, has commended the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), for his recent statement regarding the ongoing situation involving the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and former Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello.
Speaking at an international forum of African and Caribbean political scholars, Prof Kila praised the AGF’s intervention as both timely and significant. He emphasized the importance of the minister’s public stance, stating, “The AGF’s intervention in the matter of a former governor evading arrest by the anticorruption agency in Nigeria is both timely and meaningful. The minister of justice could have buried his head in the sand or acted quietly, his public statement sends a message saying we value justice.”
Prof Anthony Kila referred to the AGF’s invitation to the embattled former governor to “toe the path of decency,” highlighting the minister’s commitment to upholding the rule of law.
Despite his initial reservations about Prince Lateef Fagbemi’s appointment as AGF, Prof Kila acknowledged the minister’s understanding of the importance of the rule of law in a functioning system. He stated, “He (Prince Lateef Fagbemi) was not my preferred choice for the job of AGF, but with this singular act of not defending the law, he has shown that he understands the importance of the rule of law in a system that wants to work.”
In closing, Prof Kila encouraged scholars not only to identify problems and propose solutions but also to recognize and applaud those who demonstrate exemplary conduct.