By Taiye Odewale
Abuja
The Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, has said that the separation of the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), from that of that of Minister of Justice, was still possible, if Nigerians still desired it as a way to strengthen justice delivery in the country.
He stated this in Abuja 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), where he also commended the Bar leadership, under Mr. Augustine Alegeh, for continuing with the project, started by his predecessor.
Ekweremadu, who recalled 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 since the Forth Alteration Bill was not assented to by former President Goodluck Jonathan, noted that although he personally believed in the idea, it was a decision for the majority of Nigerians and lawmakers to make.
He was, however, quick to add that the separation of the two offices would make whoever is appointed the AGF, to work for the people and not necessarily the government in power as a cabinet minister, and that it would ensure access to justice by citizens, devoid of any external influence.
“I believe in the separation of the two offices. I go for it any time, any day.
This is because it will guarantee financial independence, security of tenure, and will make the holder of the office of the attorney-general at the state and federal levels to be autonomous in thinking and approach to the idea of justice. It will ensure that citizens have access to justice, since the officer will not be dictated to by any external interest or influence.
“During the last constitution amendment exercise, we (members Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution in the 7thNational Assembly) recommend it to our colleagues, based on inputs 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 would think. But as a person, I strongly believe in it.
“I feel proud today as a lawyer, lawmaker, and ordinary Nigerian, that we will have a good and befitting secretariat at the heart of Abuja.
It is also an indication that the Bar has come of age and repositioning itself for greater role in the dispensation of justice, ” he explained.
Earlier, the NBA President, Alegeh, told the Deputy President of the Senate that the project had reached 75 percent completion, and that the secretariat, which would house a Virtual Library, an E-library and a pro-bono centre, among others things, would be ready for commissioning and use by August 2016.
Alegeh, who was also accompanied by General Secretary of the Bar, Mazi Afam Osigwe, further noted that all sections and fora of the NBA, including the Legislative Forum, would have their centres at the Secretariat, adding that the Legislative Forum of the NBA, for instance would collaborate and work with the National Assembly, for a better justice system in the country.
