The Federal Government has dismissed claims that recent defections to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) were part of a ploy to evade prosecution, stressing that ongoing corruption investigations remain unaffected by political affiliations.
Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, issued the rebuttal in a statement on Friday, following comments made by Paul Ibe, spokesperson for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, during a television interview.
Ibe had alleged that officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Federal Ministry of Justice held meetings with a former and a serving governor from a South-South state, just 48 hours before their defection to the APC. While no names were mentioned, Fagbemi argued that the public could discern the targets of the allegations.
Describing the claim as “a figment of imagination,” the Attorney-General said, “The allegation is from the pit of hell. 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.”
He accused Ibe of attempting to discredit President Bola Tinubu’s administration and its anti-corruption drive. “This is a feeble attempt to undermine the fight against corruption. Nigerians should disregard such insinuations,” Fagbemi added.
The Minister reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to the rule of law, insisting that no individual—regardless of political leaning—would be spared if found guilty of wrongdoing. “The President remains resolute. The fight against corruption will not be compromised, no matter whose ox is gored,” he said.
In a separate statement, the EFCC also debunked the allegations. Its spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, described Ibe’s claims as “theories, conjectures, and assumptions” driven by political motives.
“The allegation is patently fabricated and in bad taste,” Oyewale said. “Chairman Ola Olukoyede has consistently reiterated the Commission’s non-partisan stance. He remains apolitical and firmly committed to professionalism.”
The EFCC urged the public to disregard the allegations, stressing that the purported meeting “only exists in the imagination of Mr. Ibe.”
The denials come amid increasing public scrutiny of the political implications surrounding recent defections and their impact on the credibility of anti-corruption efforts.
