…Says States Will Have Less Problems If Governors Listen To Attorney-Generals
Former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, Kanu Agabi, (SAN), on Monday in Abuja, described the presidential system of government being practiced in Nigeria as dictatorial.
He also said that states in the country would fare better if the governors could listen to their state Attorney-Generals.
He made the observation at the maiden meeting of the 36 states Attorney Generals of the Federation organised by the Nigeria Governors Forum ( NGF), in Abuja.
Agabi who spoke on the subject: Insecurity At The Sub National Level; The Role Of Our Attorney Generals”, called on the attorney generals to be mindful of their role in ensuring security at all time.
He stressed that there are gross incidents of violence and insecurity across the country.
According to the former AGF, it is necessary for all the State attorney-generals to be focused especially now that all the structures for accountability, erected by law have been knocked down.
“In 1999, at the time of our return to civil we were ranked as the second most corrupt nation in the world. I do not know where we stand now in that ranking.
“But if we were to judge matters, by the standards of the security of life hardly anyone will believe that we have made any improvements at all.
He said poor communities are now being wiped out and nobody cares about what is going on in the harmlets, explaining the State attorney- generals should oppose the evils ravaging the Nigerian society.
Agabi who lamented that the state attorney-generals have not done enough in protecting the citizenry with the law.
“As for yourselves, attorney-generals, you are appointed by law to oppose these evils. You have no option. Once you accept office as attorney-general, you are bound by oath to distinguish yourselves as impeccable resolute and inflexible opponents of the evils that now oppose us.”
“You Attorney Generals are at the frontline. You’re the generals in these states to uphold the law and order. The powers and duties of the Attorney General are provided by the constitution, it is you who ensure that the rule of law is maintained and that Government actions are legally unconstitutional valid. But you are supposed to be champions of liberty and Justice”.
He enjoined the governors to allow the attorney-generals to advise them stating that even though their work is tough, they should at all times tell the Governors the truth.
“There are no shortages of people who want to flatter the governors. If your own attorney general lies to you, or flatters you, he is administering a poison to you.
“The attorney-general must not do that. His duty is to tell you the truth. Once he has done so, you must act upon it”.
He tasked the Governors to always listen to the professional advice of their AGF adding that failure to do so will create problem of Insecurity in the State.
