Tag: Minister of Justice

18Jan By dthataNo Comments

Politics

FG Asks EFCC To Forward Cases On Patience Jonathan

The Federal Government has asked the acting Chairman of the Eco­nomic and Financial Crimes Com­mission (EFCC), Mohammed Umar Abba, to make available details of all cases concerning former first lady, Patience Jonathan. A presidency source revealed that Abubakar Malami, the Attor­ney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, gave the direc­tive and extended it to include rela­tives of former President Goodluck Jonathan. According to the source, the direc­tive may be ominous but Dayo Apata, the Solicitor-General of the Feder­ation and Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Justice, has communicated the government’s position to the EFCC. The source told Daily Indepen­dent that the EFCC is expected to give a comprehensive update of investigation into cases involvi...

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16Jan By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Abubakar Malami Denies NDDC Bribe Allegation, Calls For Exposure Of Culprits

The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami has denied allegation of bribery levelled against him. According to a statement signed yesterday by the Special Assistant on Media and Public Relations, Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Umar Jibrilu Gwandu, Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, was claimed to have offered Malami gratification in respect of the appointment of a sole administrator of the Niger Delta Development Commission. “The report, as any fake news, was marred by evincing contradictions, figment of imagination, sheer fabrications and filthy assumptions of mischief makers and detractors”, the statement read in part. “The AGF hereby makes an outright denial of the report in i...

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2Nov By dthataNo Comments

Politics

This Government Is Determined To End Impunity – Abubakar Malami

Abubakar Malami, attorney-general of the federation and minister of justice, says the federal government is determined to end impunity. The minister said this in a statement Umar Gwandu, his special assistant on media and public relations, issued on his behalf. The statement is in commemoration of the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, which is celebrated on November 2 every year. He said it is gratifying to note that “Nigeria is no longer among the countries with impunity for crimes against journalists”, referring to the 2020 Global Index for Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists released on Wednesday by the Committee to Protect Journalists. The report indicated that Nigeria is the only country that came off the index from 2019.  Malami said b...

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17Sep By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Sagay Panel Accuses Malami Of Aborting High-profile Criminal Cases

The Prof. Itse Sagay-led Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, on Wednesday, accused the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), of having well-known proclivity for aborting high-profile criminal cases in favour of major political and governmental figures. The PACAC, in a statement signed by Sagay, and released by the Communications Unit of the committee, said this while reacting to the proposed bill for the amendment of the establishment Act of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. While arguing that the proposed amendment of the Act was part of “an ongoing very sinister and dangerous attempt to demolish the anti-corruption infrastructure of Nigeria and return it to the situation it was in during the dark days befo...

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12Sep By dthataNo Comments

Politics

PDP Reps Sue Malami, Lai Mohammed, NBC Over New Broadcasting Code

Members of the Peoples Democratic Party caucus in the House of Representatives have sued the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN; Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed; and the National Broadcasting Commission over the 6th National Broadcast Code recently released by the National Broadcasting Commission. Chairman of the PDP caucus, Mr Kingsley Chinda, told Saturday PUNCH on Thursday that the lawmakers would also sue the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.); Minister of Labour, Employment and Productivity, Sen Chris Ngige; Minister of State, Festus Keyamo, SAN; and the National Directorate of Employment over the recruitment of 774,000 for the Federal Government’s Public Works Scheme. Chinda said, “We cautioned that ...

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9Sep By dthataNo Comments

Politics

I Will Gladly Testify Before Salami Panel – Malami Replies Magu

The Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), says he will be glad to testify before the Justice Ayo Salami-led Presidential panel if he is summoned. He said this during an interview on Arise TV on Wednesday which was monitored by our correspondent. Malami, who is also the Minister of Justice, was reacting to a letter by the suspended acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Magu, calling on Salami to summon the AGF. The AGF said he had nothing to hide and would not hesitate to give the Salami-led panel the full cooperation if need be. Responding to a question, Malami said, “So, if indeed the Ayo Salami panel invites Abubakar Malami as a person or the AGF in the person of Abubakar Malami for any testimony, for any clarificati...

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31Aug By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Malami Has No Power To Grant Approval To Northern Lawyers ‘new NBA’ – Sagay

Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN),Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC) has said Abubakar Malami, Attorney-General and Minister of Justice has no powers to grant approval to the formation of a parallel body of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) known as ‘New NBA’. The breakaway group, was formed following the controversy created by the dis-invitation of Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai by the NBA as speaker at its just concluded Annual General Meeting (AGM). In a statement by two lawyers, Nuhu Ibrahim (Convener 1) and Abdulbasit Suleiman (Convener 2), explained that the formation of the ‘New NBA’ was aimed at protecting their interests as enshrined under Section 40 of the constitution. They also said they have notified Malami of the existence of the ...

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30Aug By dthataNo Comments

News

Northern Lawyers Write Malami Over Formation Of New Bar Association

Some aggrieved Northern lawyers who pulled out from the recently concluded Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) conference had written to the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami informing him about the formation of a new group known as New Nigerian Bar Association (NNBA). This was contained in a letter dated 28th August 2020 and signed by the conveners of the new group, Barrister Nuhu Ibrahim and Barrister Abdulbasit Suleiman and obtained by the Nigerian Tribune on Sunday. The letter affirmed that the formation of the new group has become imperative and expedient.The letter stated that this was especially as a result of the disposition of NBA NEC which failed to take into consideration our national interests and particularly do not promote the unity of our indissoluble...

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27Aug By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Buhari Congratulates Kaycee Madu On His Appointment As Minister In Canada

PRESIDENT BUHARI CONGRATULATES NIGERIAN BORN KAYCEE MADU, APPOINTED MINISTER OF JUSTICE IN ALBERTA, CANADA President Muhammadu Buhari rejoices with Nigerian born Kaycee Madu, appointed Minister of Justice and Solicitor General for the Government of Alberta, in Canada.Madu makes history as the first African born provincial Minister in Canadian history, and is also the Provincial Secretary and Keeper of the Great Seal of the Province of Alberta. President Buhari describes the honour as “landmark and historic,” saying it once again pedestals people of Nigerian descent as go-getters, who distinguish themselves in different walks of life.The President says as the first Black Justice Minister and Solicitor-General in Canada, Madu has written himself into history books, and urges Niger...

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10Jul By BobbyNo Comments

News

Magu quizzed over 380 houses, 7 crude oil-laden ships, N37bn assets

Suspended Acting Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu was on Wednesday July 8 grilled and asked to account for 380 houses and seven vessels loaded with crude oil. He was also grilled on disposal of assets worth N37 billion by Justice Ayo Salami-led Presidential panel. The allegations were reportedly levelled against him by Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN). Vanguard reported that the panel started quizzing Magu on Monday after his arrest by detectives in Abuja. On Tuesday, he was grilled on cash discrepancies said to be N539 billion realised from the sale of seized assets and N504 billion declared by the commission. The suspended acting chairman of the anti-graft agency was grilled on the ground f...

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19Jun By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Malami Writes PMB, Seeks Removal Of Magu; Accuses Him Of Diversion Of Recovered Loot

The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN), has recommend to President Muhammadu Buhari the sacking of the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Ibrahim Magu. Malami, in a memorandum to the president, anchored his recommendation on several grounds “raging from diversion of recovered loot to insubordination and misconduct” by Magu, THISDAY has learnt. Multiple sources told THISDAY yesterday that Malami included a short list of three candidates for consideration to replace Magu. But Magu is fighting back and his supporters within the Presidency say ” removing Magu at this time when he has given muscle to Buhari’s anti-corruption fight would be a mistake.” “It is painful that the EFCC bos...

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11Jun By BobbyNo Comments

News

Rape in Nigeria: FG Finally Sets up Gender Based Violence Management Committee

President Muhammadu Buhari led government has announced the immediate inauguration of a Gender-Based Violence Management Committee. Abubakar Malami, Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, said this in a statement sent to DAILY POST on Thursday. He condemned the prevalent and rising incidence of rape and sexual assault in the country. Malami said incidents of rape cases in the country have increased dramatically in the last few weeks, resulting in the brutal murder of some victims. The statement observed that the development has sparked outrage in Nigeria and abroad. The minister noted the Federal Ministry of Justice has identified with calls for national response against rape and sexual assault in the country. Malami said in fulfillment of the Min...

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11Jun By dthataNo Comments

News

Taraba Killings: Confessions Of Killer Soldiers Shielded From Trial By Malami

The curious decision of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, (SAN), to drop charges against 10 soldiers in the case involving an alleged Taraba State kidnapping kingpin, Bala Hamisu, could be described as a brazen attempt to make a mockery of the nation’s criminal justice system. Hamisu, popularly known as Wadume, had in his statement identified his accomplices, including 10 soldiers and two policemen. They are Captain Tijjani Balarabe; Staff Sgt. David Isaiah; Sgt. Ibrahim Mohammed; Corporal Bartholomew Obanye; Private Mohammed Nura; Lance Corporal Okorozie Gideon and Corporal Markus Michael. Others are L/Corporal Nvenaweimoeimi Akpagra; Staff Sgt. Abdullahi Adamu, and Private Ebele Emmanuel, ASP Aondona Iorbee, and one Ahmad Suleiman (aka...

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6May By dthataNo Comments

Politics

“I Deliberately Referred To Abacha Loot As “Abacha’s Assets” – Malami

Abubakar Malami SAN, Attorney-General and Minister of Justice has faulted those criticising him for describing the recently repatriated Abacha loots as ” Abacha assets. Malami in a statement said while the money was a loot, it automatically becomes an assets when it is returned to the federal government. “Attention of the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice has been drawn to needless media hype relating to purported characterization of the recovered assets associated with former Head of State, General Sani Abacha as “Abacha Assets”. The office maintained that the choice of words was deliberate”. “It is to be noted that by way of antecedence that Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN has been consi...

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5May By dthataNo Comments

Politics

It’s Insulting For United States To Give Conditions On Abacha’s Loot – Sagay

Speaking in an interview on Monday, the professor of law said it undermines the sovereignty of Nigeria for the United States to give conditions on the use of the money by the Nigerian Government. Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee against Corruption, Prof Itse Sagay (SAN), has reacted to the return of $300m looted by the late dictator, Sani Abacha. Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, confirmed the return of the looted funds on Monday in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media and Public Relations, Dr Umar Gwandu. Speaking in an interview with SaharaReporters on Monday, the professor of law said it undermines the sovereignty of Nigeria for the United States to give conditions on the use of the money by the Nigerian Gov...

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4May By BobbyNo Comments

News

FG Receives $311m Abacha Loot From US and Bailiwick of Jersey

The Federal government has received $311,797,866.11, the third tranche of the former head of state, late General Sani Abacha loot, from the United States and the Bailiwick of Jersey. Attorney-General of Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, disclosed this in a statement released today May 4 by his Special Assistant on Media and Public Relations, Dr Umar Gwandu. According to Malami, the amount increased significantly from over $308 million mentioned in an earlier statement in February to over $311million as a result of the interest that accrued from February 3 to April 28, when the fund was transferred to the Central Bank of Nigeria. Malami said the latest recovery would support and assist in expediting the construction of three major infrastructure projects acro...

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3May By dthataNo Comments

Politics

COVID-19: SERAP Asks Buhari To Use Confiscated Stolen Assets As Isolation Centre

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has sent an urgent appeal to President Muhammadu Buhari urging him to “urgently instruct the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Mr Abukabar Malami, SAN to work with appropriate ministries and agencies to identify, publish and use confiscated stolen assets as isolation centres.” SERAP said: “Using confiscated assets as isolation centres would provide safe and enabling environments for the treatment and care of people, improve the authorities’ ability to respond to COVID-19, reduce the risks to Nigerians and to public health.” The Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire had last week reportedly begged Nigerians to donate and temporarily make their buildings available as isolation centres. According to hi...

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11Apr By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Attorney-General, Malami Asks Governors To Decongest Prisons Immediately

The Attorney -General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami , SAN, has written to state governors on the need for speedy decongestion of custodial centres (prisons) in the country due to the COVID -19 pandemic . A statement by the Special Assistant on Media and Public Relations , Office of the AGF, Umar Gwandu, said the letters were dated April 9, 2020, and entitled ‘ Urgent need for speedy decongestion of custodial centres’ . Malami, in the letter, noted that from the available records, the inmate population at the various custodial centres across the country stood at 74, 127, out of which 52 ,226 inmates were awaiting trial persons . The AGF expressed regret that most of the centres were housing inmates beyond their capacities . According to him , the d...

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9Apr By dthataNo Comments

Politics

President Buhari Granted Freedom To 2,600 Inmates Nationwide

President Muhammad Buhari has granted presidential pardon to about 2,600 inmates nationwide. Out of the said number, 70 inmates will be released today from Kuje maximum custodial centre. At an ongoing press conference in Abuja, Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, after the release of the first face, the committe will continue to meet regularly to consider those who deserve the benefit. Also speaking, Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, said the United Nations had called the nation’s of the world to reduce the number of inmates in custodial centres in view of social distancing attitude. While describing the flag off of the 2020 presidential pardon as historic, Malami said the process of selecting benefiaries started in 2018. He warned the beneficiaries to desist from...

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15Mar By BobbyNo Comments

News

I’m not Involved in Sanusi’s Dethronement – AGF Abubakar Malami

Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami has denied having a hand in Sanusi Lamido Sanusi's dethronement as Emir of Kano. In a lawsuit filed before a federal high court in Abuja, Sanusi reportedly accused the Attorney General of Kano State, Ibrahim Muktar and the Attorney General of the Federation, Mr Abubakar Malami (SAN) of instructing operatives of the Department of State Services and police to detain him after his dethronement. In a statement released on Sunday March 15 by Malami's special assistant on media and public relations Umar Gwandu, the AGF who denied the allegation added that he won't comment further since the case is already in court. Malami said;   "I'm not in any way connected with the dethronement of the former Em...

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23Feb By BobbyNo Comments

News

Malami Reveals how Nigeria Can End Farmers/Herdsmen Crisis

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, says stakeholder engagement will resolve the protracted farmer/herder’s conflict in Nigeria. He gave the suggestion at the AB Dikko memorial symposium held on Saturday in Birnin-Kebbi, Kebbi State. Malami noted that the challenge required real-time and practically-oriented solutions. “The better approach towards resolving the crisis over the short, medium and long terms is to directly involve the stakeholders in the coming up with solutions at the conception, implementation and monitoring phases,” he said. He added that community-oriented approach would yield greater dividend “in diffusing and eventually eliminating the menace that has retarded economic developm...

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23Feb By BobbyNo Comments

Politics

Buhari Govt Won’t Give Kebbi Gov, Atiku $100m – Malami

President Muhammadu Buhari-led government is unsettled by the reports that the United States was opposed to its alleged plan to hand $100million to Kebbi Governor, Atiku Bagudu, from the recovered Sani Abacha loot. The government is scrambling to debunk the news widely reported by the Nigerian media and has issued another statement less than 24 hours after the first. In a statement Friday night, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, called the reports unfounded and baseless. On Saturday, Malami issued another rejoinder, wherein he stated that the Nigerian government did not intend and would not give anyone a cut from the repatriated fund. A statement by Umar Jibrilu Gwandu, his Special Assistant on Media, describe...

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12Feb By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Court Orders FG To Pay Fine Of N200,000 To Sowore, Bakare

Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of the Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Nigerian Government to pay N200,000 each to Omoyele Sowore and Olawale Bakare, who are both standing trial in a case brought against them by President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration. Ojukwu’s action was necessitated by the prosecution’s sloppy showing on Wednesday where A. Aliyu standing in for the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), tried to slow down proceedings and further delay the commencement of the trial proper by making several false statements.

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1Feb By dthataNo Comments

Politics

United States Summons Malami, Others To Washington Over Human Rights

The United States-Nigeria Bi-national Commission has summoned five ministers from Nigeria to discuss issues of trade, investment and particularly Nigeria's worsening human rights record. The meeting is set to take place from February 1 to 3, 2020 in Washington DC. We can confirm that two ministers have already left for the United States via the United Kingdom on Friday morning. The ministers attending the meeting are Geoffrey Onyeama, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sadiya Umar Faruk, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development. Others are Abubakar Malami, Nigeria's Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Maj. Gen. Bashir Magashi (retd), Minister of Defence, and National Sec...

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27Jan By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Oyo LG Chairmen Defy Makinde, Resume With Heavy Security Backing

The sacked local government chairmen in Oyo State, on Monday, defied Governor Seyi Makinde and resumed to their respective local government secretariats amid tight security. Controversy trailed the administration of local governments in the state, following the immediate sack of the chairmen elected under former Governor Abiola Ajimobi, barely twenty-four hours after Governor Makinde’s swearing-in on May 29, 2019. In his bid to reconstitute the local government administration, Governor Makinde had in December 2019 appointed caretaker chairmen for LGAs and LCDAs to fill the void despite the various cases instituted by both parties. Reports from Ibarapa NorthEast LCDA, Lanlate, have it that Mr. Lanre Olaosegba resumed at the council secretariat with his councilors. Also, Barr. Da...

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23Jan By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Fani-kayode Attacks Tinubu Over Statement On Amotekun

Nigeria’s former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, has reacted to Bola Tinubu, National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC’s, statement on the establishment of the Southwest security outfit, Amotekun. Tinubu had on Wednesday called for private discussion between the Governors of the South-west and the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Mallam Abubakar Malami, over Amotekun. He said the foundation of the country had not been put at risk with the South-west regional security outfit launched by the governors of the zone in a bid to confront the insecurity in their respective states. But reacting, Fani-Kayode said Tinubu’s statement on Amotekun was an attempt to defend Buhari government. He wrote on Twitter, ”I read BAT’s wishy washy statement on Amotekun &...

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23Jan By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Juniad Muhammed Warns Of Imminent Civil War Over Amotekun

In this interview, Second Republic lawmaker and elder statesman, Junaid Muhammed, said Amotekun is politically motivated and a ploy for secession by the Southwest Recently, governors of Southwest states came together to set up a security outfit called Amotekun to check insecurity in their region. This comes as the national security architecture seems overwhelmed, but the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, said it is unconstitutional. What is your take? First and foremost, a line has been drawn among most conscientious and not reasonable Nigerians. A line has been drawn on the question of the desire or otherwise of what people call state police. The agitation for state police started from the Southwest. It was purely political; it had ...

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21Jan By dthataNo Comments

News

Police Take Over Amotekun Protest Venue In Lagos

Policemen, on Tuesday, barricaded the venue of the protest against the Federal Government’s position declaring the establishment of Operation Amotekun as illegal. Recall that the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, had in a statement, described the Western Nigeria Security network codenamed ‘Operation Amotekun’ as illegal. The protest, expected to hold at the Gani Fawehinmi Park, was organised by the Yoruba World Congress. It was tagged as “Amotekun Solidarity Walk”. The PUNCH‘s correspondent at the venue of the protest reported that over 20 police vans with armed policemen were present to prevent the group from accessing the park.

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20Jan By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Malami Asks Makinde To Dissolve LG Caretaker Chairmen

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Justice Abubakar Malami (SAN) has directed the Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde to reverse himself over the dissolution of local government administration in the State. The directive was contained in a letter to the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Oyo State, Prof. Oyewo Oyelowo dated 14 January 2020. The letter marked HAGF/OYO/2020/Vol.I/I. was entitled, “Unconstitutionality of dissolution of elected local government councils and appointment of caretaker committee: the urgent need for compliance with extant judicial decisions” The AGF said, in view of the decision of the Supreme Court on the matter that is binding on all 36 States of the Federation, “the common practice by some State Gove...

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18Jan By dthataNo Comments

Politics

South-West Governors Move To Legalise Amotekun

Emboldened by the huge support from the people of the South West region in particular and across the states of the country in general, the South West governors have moved fast to give legal backing to the regional security outfit, codenamed Operation Amotekun which they launched on January 9 this year. This is just as the Nigeria military has vowed that it will not allow any individual or group to jeopardize the sovereignty and stability of Nigeria’s territorial integrity. The military told relevant stakeholders to join hands with the armed forces and intelligence agencies to ensure that Nigeria is secured and not to look for other methods likely to negate the national policy and Community Policing approved by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration. Meanwhile, Saturday Van...

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16Jan By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Seyi Makinde Visits Obasanjo, Says AGF Lacks Power To Declare Amotekun Illegal

Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, has said the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), lacks the power to declare the South West security outfit, Operation Amotekun, as illegal. Makinde said though the AGF may interpret and advise the President if there are legal issues, he is not empowered to make his own laws. He spoke in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, during his visit to a former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, on Wednesday. The governor was accompanied by his Special Adviser on Security Matters and former Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni; the Chairman, Advisory Council, Senator Hosea Agboola; and former Secretary to the Oyo State Government, Chief Layiwola Olakojo, among other aides. Fielding questions...

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15Jan By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Amotekun: Akeredolu Replies Malami, Says Laws Are Not Made In AGF’s Office

The Chairman of the South-West Governors' Forum and Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has responded to the comments attributed to the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, declaring ‘Operation Amotekun’ as an illegal outfit. Mr. Akeredolu in an exclusive interview told Channels Television that it is clear laws are not made in the office of the AGF, but he can interpret the laws and advise the FG on matters relating to the law. “One thing is clear, laws are not made in the office of the Attorney General; he can only interpret the laws and give positions of government on matters relating to the law. “When he comes out with relevant portions of the law on the matter, we will consider it and respond adequately as the law stipulates.” ...

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15Jan By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Amotekun: Sagay Blasts Minister Of Justice, Asks Governors To Ignore Him

Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN), chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC) has asked Southwest governors to ignore the directive of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN) describing Operation Amotekun as illegal. Speaking with Daily Independent, Sagay said the governors have no business consulting Malami before coming up with the idea of how best to secure their states or region.

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14Jan By dthataNo Comments

Politics

FG Declares Operation Amotekun Illegal

Barely a few days after the inauguration of a security outfit known as Amotekun by South-West states, the Federal Government has declared the paramilitary outfit as illegal as it is not backed by any known law in the land. The Attorney General of the Federation made the feeling of the government known in a statement made available to Vanguard on Tuesday. In the statement signed by the Special Assistant on Media and Public Relations to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Dr Umar Gwandu, the government said the issue of defence and security fell under the exclusive list and not with the state. The statement reads in part: “The setting up of the paramilitary organization called “Amotekun” is illegal and runs contrary to the provisions of the Nigerian l...

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3Jan By dthataNo Comments

Politics

We Were Right To Hold Sowore, Dasuki Despite Court Orders – Malami

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, says the regime of Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), had the right to continually detain Sahara Reporters Publisher, Omoyele Sowore; and a former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.), despite court orders. Malami said this during a programme titled, ‘Good Morning Nigeria’ on NTA on Thursday.The minister said the constitution gives the government the right to appeal court orders to the level of the Supreme Court. He said during the process of applying for variation of court orders or appealing judgements, the enforcement of that court order can be delayed and this ought not to be termed as disobedience to court orders. When asked if this was what happened in the cases of Da...

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28Dec By dthataNo Comments

Politics

El-Zakzaky’s Fate Is In El-Rufai’s Hands – Malami

The discharge from care of the pioneer of Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) Sheik Ibrahim El-Zakzaky must be chosen by the Kaduna State government, the Federal Government has said. Lawyer General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami said the Cleric is being attempted under the Kaduna State law and not under a government law. He said his case is unique in relation to those of Omoyele Sowore and Col.Sambo Dasuki (rtd), who were discharged from guardianship on Christmas Eve following his heading to the Directorate of State Services (DSS) to consent to the court's decision which allowed them bail. Malami made the explanations in a reaction to an enquiry by The Nation. His reaction was sent by his Special Assistant on Media and Public Relations, Dr. Umar Jibrilu...

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26Dec By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Babatunde Gbadamosi Reacts To Sowore & Dasuki Release, Talks About Jonathan

Babatunde Gbadamosi, former governorship candidate of the Action Democratic Party, ADP, in Lagos State, has given real reason the federal government ordered the release of former National Security Adviser (NSA) Sambo Dasuki and convener of #RevolutionNow, Omoyele Sowore. The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, in a statement released on Tuesday, ordered the release of Dasuki and Sowore. Malami said the decision to release Sowore and his co-accused was in compliance with the bail granted the two by the court. DAILY POST recalls that Sowore has been in custody of the Department of State Service, DSS, since he called for a revolution earlier in the year despite being granted bail by the court. Gbadamosi, while reacting, applauded ...

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20Dec By dthataNo Comments

Politics

No Discrimination In Fight Against Corruption – AGF, Abubakar Malami

The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami has debunked claims of the Buhari-led administration fighting a discriminatory fight against corruption.   Speaking in Abuja on Thursday December 19, Malami said he was impressed with the speedy way the judiciary handled election cases and also paid attention to high-profile cases.   He disclosed that 22 ex-governors are either under probe or on trial following the implementation of the whistle-blowing policy which has led to recovery of stolen assets in Nigeria.   Malami said;   “Our fight against corruption is total, comprehensive and dispassionate devoid of any political or ethnic sentiments or inclination. “One of the multiple institutions involved in t...

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19Dec By dthataNo Comments

Politics

‘I Was Never Summoned By The Federal High Court Over Sowore’s Continued Detention’ – Minister Of Justice, Abubakar Malami

Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami said he was never summoned by the Federal High Court over the continued detention of Omoyele Sowore. According to Malami in a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Umar Jibrilu Gwandu, on Wednesday night,  “the issues that surrounded the subject matter borders on the application filed by Sowore’s lawyer on the 15th day of November 2019. “The Court adjourned the matter to the 23rd day of January, 2020 for the hearing of the substantive matter. “Surprisingly, on Tuesday the 17th day of December, 2019, the Applicant’s Counsel adopted an ex-parte application filed on the 15th day of November, 2019 before Hon. Justice I E. Ekwo. “However, the Court, being aware of the fact that ...

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17Dec By dthataNo Comments

Politics

I Can’t Tell DSS To Release Sowore – Attorney General, Abubakar Malami

Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, on Monday, December 16th indicated that he could not ask the Department of State Service to release Omoyele Sowore from custody. The minister said in the statement that he could not take a unilateral decision on the release of Sowore without recourse to the court, where the ‘RevolutionNow’ protests convener and his co-defendant, Olawale Bakare, are being prosecuted on charges of treasonable felony, among others. This is contained in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media and Public Relations, Dr. Umar Gwandu, who stated that Malami was reacting to “the claim that a lawyer sent a letter to the AGF requesting the release of Mr. Sowore”. The statement appeared to be a veiled reference to the lette...

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13Dec By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Sowore: AGF Malami Orders DSS To Hands-Off Trial, Takes Over Case-file

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, has ordered the Department of State Service, DSS, to hands-off the prosecution of detained pro-democracy activist and convener of RevolutionNow Protest, Omoyele Sowore. The AGF, in a statement that was made available to newsmen by his media aide, Dr Umar Gwandu, on Friday, said he directed the security agency to forward the case file in respect of charge pending against Sowore before the Federal High Court in Abuja, to his office. Malami further directed the Federal Ministry of Justice to immediately take over the prosecution of all charges against Sowore, in line with the provisions of Sections 150(1) and 174 (1) (a-c) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). He said the Federal Government was...

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11Dec By dthataNo Comments

Politics

A Bill To Separate Attorney General From Minister Of Justice Passes 2nd Reading

The House of Representatives is seeking to separate the office of the Attorney General of the Federation from that of the Minister of Justice, saying the separation will remove political interference in the operations of the Attorney General. A bill to alter the 1999 constitution to separate the two offices sponsored by the Chief Whip of the House, Mohammed Tahir Monguno scaled through second reading at Tuesday’s plenary of the house. Hon. Monguno said he was sponsoring the bill based on his experience as a former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Borno state, adding that at the moment too much power was vested on the Minister or Commissioner for Justice in combining the two offices. He said the powers vested on the Attorney General by the constitution are judic...

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11Dec By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Sowore: FG has ordered probe of DSS’ invasion of court – Malasi

Abubakar Malami, minister of justice, says the federal government has ordered an investigation into Friday’s invasion of the federal high court in Abuja by the operatives of Department State Service (DSS). DSS operatives had invaded the court on Friday in a bid to rearrest Omoyele Sowore, convener of RevolutionNow Movement. The secret police eventually rearrested Sowore less than 24 hours after he was released from a detention that lasted 124 days. This had sparked outrage within and outside the country. But the presidency defended the DSS, saying Sowore became a person of interest to the agency after calling for revolution. However, when he visited John Tsoho, chief judge of the federal high court, on Wednesday, Malami announced that the investigation of the action of DSS was...

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7Dec By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Sowore: Falana Tells NBA To Discipline Osinbajo, Other Lawyers In Cabinet

Human rights lawyer, Mr Femi Falana (SAN), who leads Mr Omoyele Sowore’s defence team, has asked the Nigerian Bar Association to take disciplinary actions against lawyers in President Muhammadu Buhari’s cabinet over what he described as desecration of the court with Sowore’s rearrest at the Federal High Court in Abuja, causing a disruption of court proceedings. He said his legal team would meet on Saturday to determine the next line of action. He said there were 10 lawyers with four of them Senior Advocates of Nigeria, who ought to live up to their oath to defend the Constitution and other laws of the country, by ensuring that the rule of law was observed by the government. The SANs in the cabinet are Vice President Yemi Osinbajon (SAN), Attorney-General of the Federation and ...

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22Sep By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Charges Against Sowore A Mockery Of Justice, End The Case Now – SERAP

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has sent an open letter to Mr Abukabar Malami, SAN, Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, urging him to use his position “to without delay enter a nolle prosequi and discontinue the prosecution of the Convener of ‘RevolutionNow’ protest and publisher of Sahara Reporters, Mr Omoyele Sowore, and Olawale Bakare, also known as Mandate for apparently politically motivated charges of treason, fraud and ‘insulting President Muhammadu Buhari’.” SERAP said: “We urge you to use your role as a trustee of the public interest under section 174 of the Nigerian Constitution of 1999 (as amended) to end several of similar trumped-up cases going on in several states.” In the letter dated 21 September 2019 and signed by ...

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18May By BobbyNo Comments

News

How I Survived 124 Days In Saudi Prison – Zainab Aliyu Narrates

Zainab Aliyu, a Nigerian who was detained in Saudi Arabia for alleged drug trafficking, says she learnt “pure Arabic” and memorised half of the Qur’an during her 124-day stay in prison. Aliyu was arrested on December 26 after tramadol, a drug prohibited in Saudi Arabia was found in her bag. The 22-year-old student of the Maitama Sule University, Kano, had travelled to Saudi Arabia for lesser hajj alongside her mother and sister. She, was, however, arrested by Saudi authorities over allegations that the bag bearing her name tag contained tramadol. In an interview with Daily Trust, she narrated her experience in detention, how she found it hard to trust people and eventually got close to an Ethiopian lady simply identified as Rehisty. She explained that she suffered communicat...

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5Apr By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Presidency Keeps Mum Over Onnoghen’s Resignation

The presidency has yet to confirm the receipt of a letter of resignation by the suspended Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice Walter Onnoghen. The News Agency of Nigeria reliably gathered that Onnoghen’s resignation letter was submitted to the Chief of Staff to the President, Malam Abba Kyari, by some Justices of the apex court. NAN, however, learnt that the Justices who submitted the letter arrived at the presidential villa a few minutes after President Muhammadu Buhari had left Abuja for Jordan to participate in the World Economic Forum on Thursday. A presidency source confirmed to NAN that President Buhari had, before his departure, received the National Judicial Council’s recommendations on the petition written against Onnoghen and the acting CJN, Justice Tanko Muhamm...

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27Mar By dthataNo Comments

News

Government Insists On MTN Paying $2b Tax Penalty

The Federal Government has insisted that telecommunications firm, MTN, must pay the $2 billion tax penalty slammed on it by the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation. At hearing of the case yesterday, government lawyer, Tijani Gazali, according to Bloomberg, prayed the Lagos High Court to throw out the Johannesburg-based company’s application to stop it from paying backdated taxes. However, MTN’s counsel, Wole Olanipekun, said the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, who imposed the penalty, lacked the powers to do so. The firm had previously denied it did not pay taxes properly in the West African nation. The case was adjourned until May 7. Meanwhile, the matter resulted in MTN shares falling as much a 6.8 per cent, the mo...

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19Mar By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Boss Mustapha, Malami, Sirika… Ministers Who Will Make Buhari’s Next Cabinet

However, Mustapha may face stiff opposition from the wife of the President, Aisha Buhari, for his role in scuttling the chances of her younger brother, Mahmood Halilu Ahmed, during the APC governorship nomination. Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), has been tipped to retain his seat in Buhari's second term cabinet, SaharaReporters can report. Abubakar Malami, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), tops the list of a few returning ministers, with Hadi Sirika, Minister of State Aviation, also making the list. President Muhammadu Buhari had, after securing his reelection, declared publicly that "only people of proven integrity will make the next cabinet". Accordingly, the President’s inner clique, Abba Kyari, Mohammed Babag...

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14Feb By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Zamfara APC: We’ve Not Received Any Letter From AGF —INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission on Thursday said it had not received a letter purportedly written by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), demanding a postponement of the Zamfara State National Assembly, governorship and State House of Assembly elections. The commission specifically stated that the purported letter could be a fake document emanating from online media. The AGF had in the letter purportedly demanded a shift in the polls following the decision of the Appeal Court that all parties should return to the status quo in the primaries of the Zamfara State chapter of the All Progressives Congress. The AGF in the letter which was said to have been written to the INEC chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu and dated Fe...

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