The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, over the weekend has revealed how the former president, Goodluck Jonathan blocked every effort to separate the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation from that of Minister of Justice.
Ekweremadu while speaking during the weekend disclosed that Jonathan refused to assent to the amendment that would have brought it the separation of both offices.
He further noted that the separation is necessary in order for Nigerians to strengthen and enjoy the desired justice delivery system.
Ekweremadu during a tour of the construction site of national headquarters of Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, Abuja revealed that the proposed separation of the offices was widely voted and accepted but failed to see the light of the say because the Forth Alteration Bill containing it was not assented to by the former president, Jonathan.
Further stressing his point, Ekweremadu explained that the separation of the offices would enable and ensure that the appointed AGF works for the people and not for the executives or government in power as a cabinet Minister.
“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, l security of tenure, and 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, we (members of the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution in the 7th National Assembly) recommended it to our colleagues, based on inputs from Nigerians, and they graciously adopted it.”
He further added: “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 l other issue for that matter, will depend on what other colleagues and Nigerians would think. But as a person, I strongly believe in it.”