Nigeria’s Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), is facing mounting criticism after abruptly withdrawing one of the most high-profile corruption cases in recent years — a move insiders say has dealt a serious blow to the country’s anti-graft fight.
The case targeted Ahmed Kuru, former managing director of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), accused of diverting ₦20 billion in public funds.
According to SaharaReporters’ sources, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had painstakingly built a “watertight” case, already securing the conviction of Kuru’s alleged co-conspirator and recovering ₦6 billion of the missing funds.
“This is one of the strongest cases in Nigeria’s anti-corruption history,” a source familiar with the matter said. “The EFCC had overwhelming evidence and had already secured a conviction in connection with it.”
The trial never properly began. On July 24, the AGF’s office filed a notice to discontinue the case — without consulting the EFCC — and on Monday, a Lagos High Court struck it out. Justice Rahman Oshodi discharged Kuru under Nigerian criminal procedure, ordered the release of his travel documents, and freed his sureties from their obligations.
A Pattern of High-Profile Withdrawals
This isn’t the first time Fagbemi has been accused of undermining the EFCC’s work. Since taking office, he has intervened to halt or stall multiple corruption cases, including:
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Oba Otudeko fraud case – Prevented the EFCC from compelling the Honeywell Group chairman to appear in court over an alleged ₦12.3 billion fraud.
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Stella Oduah prosecution – Failed to pursue a ₦5 billion corruption case against the former aviation minister, allegedly due to her defection to the ruling APC.
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Fidelity Bank CEO case – Dropped criminal charges against Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe after “reviewing” the evidence and claiming no direct link to the alleged fraud.
A senior EFCC source described the AGF’s latest move as “a dangerous signal to financial criminals” that political influence can override even the strongest criminal cases.
Political Overtones and Public Doubt
The Kuru case had been contentious for years, with former AGF Abubakar Malami also accused of trying to withdraw it — efforts resisted by EFCC lawyer Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN). His defiance even earned him a disciplinary recommendation from the Justice Ayo Salami-led panel.
Now, with the Tinubu administration’s AGF pushing the case off the docket, anti-corruption advocates warn of lasting damage to the credibility of Nigeria’s justice system.
“This isn’t just about Ahmed Kuru,” one insider said. “It’s about whether anyone in Nigeria can ever truly be held accountable when the political stakes are high.”
