BREAKING NEWS, Politics
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AT last Abubakar Malami, Attorney-General of the Federation, AGF, has finally appeared before the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters to explain why he dragged the Senate President, Bukola Saraki and his Deputy, Ike Ekweremadu to court over alleged forgery of the Senate Standing Rules 2015.
Appearing on Wednesday, July 13, before the Senator David Umaru-led Committee, Malami explained that the criminal charges the federal government filed against the presiding officers predates his appointment as Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice. He stated that while he was appointed AGF in November last year, the case was filed in July, stressing that: “I wish to state here that I am in support of democracy and I will do anything within the constitution to preserve the democratic processes.”
Malami explained that the criminal case with reference number FHC/ABJ/CS/646/ 2015 was filed on July, 23 2015 alongside a report of the concluded investigation by the police. “I was appointed on the 12th day of November 2015 that is precisely about four months. As at the time I came to office, the report was concluded. The case was instituted before the court for the sustenance of the rule of law but not in any way to truncate the democratic process.”
Malami further pointed out that neither the executive nor the legislature can look into a matter that is already in court. He said that “It will be overreaching on my part to make any insinuation on the case.”
When asked by the committee if the charges were filed for the sake of public interest and if they were in accordance with due process, Malami replied that the suit was filed based on public interest and justice.
According to him, the senate standing orders 2015 amendment did not pass through the traditional procedure. The minister added that if the standing orders did not come through the right procedures, it becomes criminal, which is in breach of section 60 of the Nigerian constitution.
The chairman of the committee, Umaru, APC Niger East, stated that the executive was intruding on the business of the legislature, adding that the separation of the powers in a democracy should be respected.
— Jul 13, 2016 @ 19:55 GMT
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