News Obiaks News

Lawmakers of the House of Representatives on Tuesday, December 10, began moves to separate the office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) from the Ministry of Justice.
        The Nation reports that the lawmakers in a bill sponsored by the chief whip of the House, Mohammed Tahir, said the separation will remove political interference in the operations of the AGF. The bill which has already passed second reading will ensure that the president will be free to politically consider appointing a minister of justice. However, the appointment of the attorney general will be career-based. Speaking at the plenary, Tahir, who served as an Attorney General and commissioner of justice in Borno state said too much power was vested on the offices to be assigned to just one person. He also said that the AGF's powers are constitutionally judicial in nature and should not be subjected to political interference at the detriment of the rights of the people. According to him, he said the AGF has the right to declare a case non-prosecutable or even discontinue a matter already in court. In his contribution, Ossai Nicholas said the bill was first passed by the 7th and 8th Assembly as it is clear one office should not be saddled with so much power. Following the contribution, the House further referred to the Committee on Legislative Matters for legislative action on the bill.