Legal Interventions Save Nigeria Billions of Dollars In Potential Losses

Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has saved Nigeria billions of dollars in potential liabilities through strategic legal interventions. Convener of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Ideological Group (BAT-IG), Hon Bamidele Atoyebi, stated this in an assessment of the Ministry of Justice’s performance under the minister. He described Fagbemi as the central […]

Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has saved Nigeria billions of dollars in potential liabilities through strategic legal interventions.

Convener of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Ideological Group (BAT-IG), Hon Bamidele Atoyebi, stated this in an assessment of the Ministry of Justice’s performance under the minister.

He described Fagbemi as the central figure behind the Tinubu administration’s legal stability and one of the country’s foremost legal minds.

He credited the Attorney General with securing landmark victories that have strengthened fiscal accountability, protected Nigeria’s constitutional integrity, and safeguarded public funds.

According to him, “between 2023 and 2024, the Federal Ministry of Justice secured 250 convictions. These included 160 criminal cases, 87 terrorism related offences and three convictions addressing child radicalisation and violence against women”.

He said the Ministry also intensified asset recovery efforts under Fagbemi’s leadership.

In April 2024, the convener who is also the National Coordinator of Accountability and Policy Monitoring, said the Ministry concluded negotiations with Glencore International A.G., resulting in a $50 million penalty and compensation to Nigeria.

He added that in February 2024, the Attorney General oversaw the signing of an asset sharing agreement with the Bailiwick of Jersey, which facilitated the return of £2,125,944 in proceeds of corruption.

In February 2026, he added, “Nigeria defeated UK based firm European Dynamics in an international arbitration over a failed e-procurement system, saving the country 6.2 million dollars.

He also said the Minister closed the long running Process and Industrial Developments dispute in the United Kingdom courts, recovering a 200 million dollar bond and 10 million dollars in legal costs, thereby averting a potential liability of over 11 billion dollars.

In addition, Atoyebi said the Ministry intervened in the 15 billion pound Petro Union case and blocked what he described as predatory litigation based on forged documents.

On the domestic front, he described the July 2024 Supreme Court judgment granting financial autonomy to Nigeria’s 774 local governments as a major milestone.

He said the Attorney General personally argued the case against the 36 state governors, securing a ruling that federal allocations be paid directly to local councils.

Atoyebi said these outcomes reflected a “defence first legal strategy” aimed at safeguarding national sovereignty and strengthening fiscal discipline.

He further stated that Fagbemi stepped aside from traditional rulership in Ijagbo, Oyun Local Government Area of Kwara State, after the death of his father in order to focus on his responsibilities as chief law officer of the federation.

Atoyebi added that the current leadership of the Ministry represents a departure from what he described as past eras marked by controversy, noting that government actions are now grounded in constitutional principles and legal precedent.