News
Reps Propose Bill to Separate Offices of AGF, Minister of Justice
EKO HOT BLOG learned that if passed, the bill would separate the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice roles at the state level.
The bill is co-sponsored by Peoples Democratic Party lawmakers Mansur Soro (Darazo/Ganjuwa Federal Constituency, Bauchi State) and Oluwole Oke (Osun), with input from the House Committee on Constitution Review, chaired by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu.
The proposed legislation aims to amend Section 150 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) to establish the Attorney General of the Federation as a separate position from the Minister of Justice.
The new sub-section would read: “There shall be an Attorney-General of the Federation who shall be the Chief Law Officer of the Federation, different from the person occupying the position of the Minister of Justice, to be appointed by the President, subject to the confirmation of the Senate.”
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Similarly, the bill proposes an amendment to Section 195, establishing the role of Attorney General in each state as a distinct position from the Commissioner for Justice.
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The new sub-section would state: “There shall be an Attorney-General for each State who shall be the Chief Law Officer of the State, to be appointed by the Governor, subject to the confirmation of the House of Assembly.”
In an exclusive interview with Sunday PUNCH, Soro explained that the aim of the bill is to improve the efficiency of the criminal justice system, protect the public interest, and reduce the potential for abuse of legal processes in public prosecutions at both federal and state levels.
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He further explained that while Ministers of Justice and Commissioners for Justice are often partisan political advisors who provide legal advice to cabinets and oversee judicial policy, the Attorney General is supposed to be an impartial law officer responsible for overseeing prosecutions and advising on legislative matters.
Soro emphasized that combining the roles of the Attorney General and Minister/Commissioner of Justice creates a conflict of interest, and the bill aims to eliminate this issue, reduce political interference, and increase public confidence in the justice system.
Regarding potential financial implications, Soro noted that the benefits of the proposed law far outweigh the potential costs. “I have always advocated for affordable governance, but the objectives of this proposal are far more significant than concerns over the cost of governance,” he concluded.
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