Mr Yusufu Akirikwen. the Taraba Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice on Thursday said the government has not suspended the open grazing prohibition and ranches establishment law as was reported in the media.
Akirikwen disclosed this when he appeared before the state accountability programme, “Face the Press”, an initiative of the Senior Special Assistant to Gov Darius Ishaku on Public Affairs, Mr Emmanuel Bello in Jalingo.
The Commissioner said the government only resolved to amend the contentious sections of the law, to ensure peace among all parties.
According to him, once a law is passed and assented to, only the legislative arm of government is constitutionally empowered to repeal it.
“Even the governor has no right to suspend the law, it’s only the House of Assembly that can repeal or amend the law.
“As you know the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has gone through several amendments, but there was never a time the constitution was suspended.
“The Osinbajo led National Economic Council on ending herdsmen/farmers crisis only recommended the review or amendment of sections 23, 24 and 25 which prescribed punishment for violators of the law.
“Governor Ishaku as a leader yearning for peace has decided for gradual implementation of the law even before this time.
“So, as a peace loving governor, he has agreed for the amendment of the sections in the interest of peace, but he has no power to suspend the law,” he said.
Akirikwen also dismissed allegations that he wrote to the Commissioner of Police to release those arrested suspected of involvement in the Mambilla crisis.
According to him, the letter was meant to draw the attention of the police commissioner to the Commission of Inquiry investigating the Mambilla crisis.
Akirikwen asserted that the Secretary of the commission also wrote a similar letter, as no suspect under the law can be tried on an offence in two different courts or tribunals at the same time.
He insisted that the only way out of herdsmen/farmers clashes was for all to accept ranching, which would be better, more productive and profitable to those in the business. (NAN)
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