Friday, 29th March 2024
To guardian.ng
Search

Separation of AGF-Minister of Justice office still possible, says Ekweremadu

By Segun Olaniyi, Abuja
25 July 2016   |   3:06 am
Separation of the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) from that of the Minister of Justice is still possible, said Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu.
Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu

Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu

Separation of the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) from that of the Minister of Justice is still possible, said Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu.

He said splitting up the two offices would make whoever is appointed AGF work for the people and not necessarily the government in power as a cabinet minister, adding that it would ensure citizens’ access to justice, devoid of external influence.

“I believe in the separation of the two offices. I’ll go for it any time, any day. This is because it will guarantee financial independence, security of tenure, and make the holder of the Office of the Attorney General at the state and federal levels autonomous in thinking and approach to the idea of justice,” he said.

The Deputy Senate President disclosed that the proposal to separate the two offices actually sailed through during the last amendment exercise, but could not see the light of the day, as the Fourth Alteration Bill was not assented by former President Goodluck Jonathan.

According to a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Uche Anichukwu, Ekweremadu stated this at the weekend, while fielding questions from journalists during a tour of the construction site of the national headquarters of the Nigeria Bar Association, (NBA) in Abuja, where he also commended the leadership of the Bar under Mr. Augustine Alegeh (SAN) for continuing with the project started by his predecessor.

“During the last constitution amendment exercise, we (members Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution in the 7th National Assembly) recommend it to our colleagues, based on input from Nigerians, and they graciously adopted it.

“Unfortunately, the last President did not sign it. Although, we will be looking at all the issues again, the decision on the separation, or any other issue for that matter, will depend on what other colleagues and Nigerians think. But as a person, I strongly believe in it,” Ekweremadu said.

0 Comments