Pelumi Olajengbesi, a human rights lawyer based in Abuja, extended his congratulations to Lateef Fagbemi, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), on his recent inauguration and assumption of the position of Nigeria’s Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF).
In a statement released on Tuesday, Olajengbesi, who serves as the Managing Partner at the Abuja-based legal firm, Law Corridor, directed the new AGF’s attention to addressing the shortcomings that have persisted under his predecessors since May 1999 when Nigeria transitioned from military rule to democracy.
Olajengbesi emphasized that it is crucial for Fagbemi to rectify the mistakes of the past and ensure proper adherence to the rule of law. He specifically called on the new AGF to enforce the compliance of all security agencies in the nation with the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, particularly with regard to the respectful obedience of court orders.
He said, “Congratulations are in order for the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, a distinguished senior lawyer and member of the inner bar.
“With the assumption of office of the new AGF, Nigerians will want security agencies to fully comply with the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, especially regarding the obedience to court orders.
“The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Department of State Services (DSS), and other security agencies cannot continue to disobey court orders.
“As the AGF said during his ministerial screening by the Senate, ‘the DSS cannot be an island onto itself and the EFCC cannot continue to behave as if there is no law’.
“Nigerians will desire to see a new Nigeria where security agencies and every authority in Nigeria obey court orders as mandated by Section 287 of the constitution.”
Reportedly, Fagbemi, who holds the prestigious title of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), was among the 45 ministers sworn into office by President Bola Tinubu on Monday, as members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC).
