The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) has issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), demanding the reinstatement of ₦60bn fraud charges against former Managing Director of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), Ahmed Kuru.
In a petition signed by its Chairman, Mr. Olanrewaju Suraju, and obtained by Hobnob News on Sunday, the anti-corruption and human rights organisation warned it would petition the Nigerian Bar Association’s Disciplinary Committee for alleged abuse of office and pursue “other local and international legal remedies” if the AGF fails to act.
“It is alarming that the Attorney-General of the Federation would seek to discontinue a case clearly instituted under the Criminal Law of Lagos State,” Suraju stated.
HEDA argued that the AGF acted outside his constitutional powers, noting that Section 174 of the 1999 Constitution does not empower him to interfere in state matters—a responsibility vested in the Lagos State Attorney-General under Section 211.
Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Lagos State Special Offences and Domestic Violence Court had, on July 24, 2025, struck out the ₦60bn fraud case after the AGF, through the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, M.B. Abubakar, filed a notice of discontinuance.
The organisation cited legal precedents, including FRN v. Osahon (2006) and State v. Ilori (1983), insisting that withdrawing the charges undermines justice.
“Criminal defence is an opportunity for the accused to clear his name, not a political shield from justice. Allowing the case to proceed is in the best interest of justice, especially since Mr. Kuru’s co-defendant has already admitted guilt, entered a plea bargain, and forfeited proceeds of crime to the EFCC,” the petition read.
HEDA also reminded the AGF of a similar failed attempt by his predecessor, Abubakar Malami (SAN), to discontinue a corruption case against John Abebe in 2018—a move then opposed by Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), now a Special Adviser in the AGF’s office.
Meanwhile, Fagbemi defended his decision last week, stressing that the withdrawal of the charges was not political. Speaking in Akwa Ibom, he said investigations showed there was no evidence linking Kuru to the alleged offence.
“In the case of Ahmed Kuru, what happened was that he was not connected. Both the principal and the interest were recovered by the EFCC. It was not in any individual’s name. So, what offence has been committed?” the AGF explained.
He, however, disclosed that Kuru still has two other pending cases, including one linked to Arik Air operations, where he said there was a prima facie case.
HEDA reaffirmed its commitment to fighting corruption and resisting political interference in the justice system, vowing to pursue the matter until due process is followed.
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