By Ikechukwu Nnochiri
ABUJA — The Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke, has okayed five draft bills for new laws that will strengthen the fight against terrorism and corruption in the country.
The five draft bills that he proposed for enacting into new laws are "Witness Protection Bills, Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Bill, Administration of Criminal Justice Bill, Whistle Blowers Bill and Proceeds of Offences Bill."
Besides, the AGF, according to a document made available to Vanguard, has equally pinpointed grey areas in the existing laws of Nigeria, which he said ought to be amended with a view to curbing the spate of economic crimes in the private and public sectors of the economy.
According to him, there is need for an immediate amendment of the "Anti-Money Laundering Act, Independent Corrupt Practices Act, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Act, Public Complaints Commission Amendment Bill and the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal."
It would be recalled that the AGF had on Friday, decried the increasing spate of violence across the country, saying the Federal Government was "working hard to stem the gradual decent to anarchy by diligently prosecuting all those indicted for civil disturbances to serve as deterrence."
In a speech he presented at a valedictory court session held in honour of the outgoing Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Dahiru Musdapher, the AGF noted: "The recent Boko Haram and Jos crises are unfortunate examples that have evoked a lot of emotions and public condemnation both in Nigeria and from the international community.
"May I also use this auspicious occasion to reiterate government's commitment to the war against corruption and our collective determination to prosecute the war within the confines of the rule of law.
To this end, government has concluded arrangements to commence the prosecution of those recently indicted in the fuel subsidy probe report and the charges arising from the investigation conducted by relevant law enforcement agencies will be filed very soon.
"Efforts are also being made to strengthen our institutions and processes to prevent future occurrence as well as curb corruption."
Vanguard Nigeria