The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has dismissed speculations that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu pressured him to drop charges against friends or associates of the government.

Speaking on recent decisions by the Ministry of Justice, Fagbemi explained that the withdrawal of certain high-profile cases was not influenced by politics or personal connections but guided strictly by legal merit and the strength of evidence available.

He pointed out that in the cases involving businessman Dr. Oba Otudeko and former Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) boss, Ahmed Kuru, the Federal Government carefully reviewed the matters before arriving at the decision to discontinue prosecution. According to him, the step was taken only after it was clear that the charges could not be sustained in law.

Fagbemi emphasized that the independence of his office remains intact under President Tinubu’s administration, assuring Nigerians that the rule of law will continue to guide government actions. He noted that no one should interpret the withdrawal of cases as favoritism, stressing that “every case is considered on its own merit.”