The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami has disclosed that the ministry is now among the top 10 revenue generating agencies of the government.
He cited that through civil cases handled by the ministry, it has saved the Federal government cost of over N13.5 billion
Further, he disclosed that through recoveries made in the fight against corruption, the sum of $62 Billion was recovered as arrears from oil companies PSA among other recoveries.
Malami spoke while making presentation on the facts sheet achievements of the ministry within a year spanning from May 2019-June 2020 during a workshop organised by the ministry for Judicial Correspondents on Tuesday. The theme of the workshop was “Reporting Justice Sector in the Nigerian Press.”
In terms of litigation, he listed the number of criminal cases so far handled such as: Three cyber crime cases; 10 cases in hostage taking and kidnapping; 10 cases of Securities and Exchange Commission related cases; and 500 terror ism cases.
On civil cases handled, the Justice Minister revealed that over N13.5 billion cost was saved for the Federal government through handling 90 cases in the Appeal Court and Supreme Court; 100 cases at the National Industrial Court; 110 cases at the High Court of states and Federal Capital Territory; and Federal High Court.
He said savings made for the government through civil cases handled amounted to over N2,897,001,046.5.
Among the recoveries made through the fight against corruption, Malami listed the followings: Recovery from Oil companies PSA – $62 Billion; Abacha loot iii from USA and New Jersey -$311 Million; Abacha loot IV from the Republic of Northern Ireland; OPL 245 (Malabu) $1 Billion approximately; $200 million expected from Netherlands and Switzerland; Whistle Blower recovery and paid into FG AR Account -N685,784,757.09; forfeited Vessels, Trucks and barges -N500 million (paid into federation assets recovery account)
Earlier in an opening remarks, the Solicitor General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Dayo Akpata, noted that the Minister has achieved a lot for the ministry.
He listed among other things, the harmonisation of the staff salaries, payment of wardrobe allowances, upgrading of infrastructural facilities, and turning the ministry into one of the top revenue generating agencies of government.
Akpata explained that the workshop was informed by the fact that reporting the activities of the judiciary and justice sector in the country is a crucial task.
According to him, “It is a critical undertaking carried out by the news media and it is essentially imperative for several reasons. The judiciary is one of the three arms of a democratic government.
“Hence, the coverage of the judiciary remains an essential component of the watchdog function of the media. This is in conformity with Section 22 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which empowers the media to keep the government accountable.
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