JUST IN: Malami Launches Database On Corruption Assets

–It’ll Deepen Transparency, Accountability, Says AGF

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, on Thursday, launched the Central Database on recovered assets and the Central Criminal Justice Information System for the country.

The aim is to strengthen the anti-corruption fight of the Federal Government.

The launching took place before relevant stakeholders at the Obasanjo Hall of the Federal Ministry of Justice in Abuja.

In his remarks, Malami said the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari was bent on tackling corruption in the country.

He stressed that the Central Database was part of the government’s efforts to stamp out corruption.

“What we are witnessing today is a product of our commitments, as a government, toward the fight against corruption with particular reference to our membership of international organisations inclusive of financial action Task Force, open Government Partnership targeted at deepening transparency within this context of United Nations Convention Against Corruption.

“The database that will be put in place will ensure uniformity of process and real-time access and information feeding.

” It is to deepen our transparency and accountability,” he said.

He added, “We have established that commitment through inclusion of civil society organisations, in our fight against corruption, enrolled as members of Open Government Partnership, Establish Legal Framework that establish Anti-Corruption Agencies and we are now committed in deploying technology to deepen our transparency, that is what the Central Database we are launching here today is all about.”

Malami also called on the justice sector and anti-graft agencies to explore the technology for critical information gathering.

Furthermore, he said his office would establish the platform that would ensure that public office holders were held accountable.

“We will, working together, establish and re-enact transparency and accountability in governance and management of our resources which we have committed to do by way of strengthening international cooperation of our membership of Open Government Partnership.

“Accordingly, the Federal Ministry of Justice looks forward to working with the Judiciary at all levels, and anti-corruption institutions at both the state and federal levels and the
Nigeria Police in order to run the information centre real time.

“This present administration has yet, set another pace and I extend my gratitude to His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for the opportunity to serve under his cabinet to achieve this milestone.

“Let me reassure stakeholders that the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice under my watch is working on deploying the technology to every nook and corners of the Federation to enable the relevant stakeholders key into this 21st Century technology in Nigeria which guarantees transparency and ensures there is accountability on the part of public officers”, he stressed.