Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, says time is not right for holistic disclosures of sponsors of terrorism in the country.
Malami made this known today in an interview with journalists at the ongoing 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, United States of America.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria is taking all steps to ensure a peaceful and prosperous Nigeria… Nigerian public will be properly and adequately informed about the investigation and prosecution process at the appropriate time,” the Minister said.
The Attorney General also said the investigation has reached an advanced stage and the government will make a statement in that direction in due course.
“Time is not ripe for holistic disclosures so as not to pre-empt the investigation process. The prime object remains the attainment of peace and security of our dear nation.
“As far as terrorism funding and financing is concerned, we have succeeded in identifying those that are allegedly responsible for funding same and we are blocking the leakages associated with funding while embarking on an aggressive investigation that is indeed impacting positively in terms of the fight against terrorism” he added.
Malami noted that he would not want to be pre-emptive in terms of making disclosures that will have the effect of undermining the successes so far recorded.
“One thing I can tell you for sure is that whatever we do in terms of detention and arrest is indeed backed-up by judicial processes.
“We have obtained legitimate court orders taking into consideration the facts and material proof of evidence presented before the court on account of which the court eventually exercises its discretion in terms of granting orders that we can have the suspects in custody pending the conclusion of the investigation,” he reaffirmed.
He said naming and shaming of suspects is not embarked upon as a policy by the Government out of sheer respect for the constitutional rights of Nigerians relating to the presumption of innocence.
