Avoid attempts to frustrate FG, AGF urges Judges, NASS

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi has urged the legislature and courts to reject attempts to obstruct the government.

He made the accusation while presenting a paper titled “Strengthening the Synergy between the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary under the Rule of Law – Executive Perspective.” at the hybrid refresher session for Judges and Khadis on Tuesday in Abuja.

The event chaired by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Olukayode Ariwoola, was held at the National Judicial Institute (NJI) in Abuja.

This was in a statement issued by Kamarudeen Ogundele, Special Assistant to the President on Communication and Publicity, Office of the AGF.

Fagbemi said, “It is my firm submission that the courts must continue to reject any attempt to be manipulated or employed by any individual or entity for personal benefit. In this regard, situations where private persons seeking to scuttle the government’s procurement procedures as provided in the procurement laws or other governmental processes, by approaching the courts to acquire spurious injunctions, should be rejected by the courts.

“On the other hand, the judiciary has the responsibility to pronounce on government processes or action(s) that are not in line with the law or in the interest of the advancement of society, thereby serving as a tool for socio-economic advancement.”

Emphasising that the principle of Separation of powers is a hallowed constitutional principle of the democratic government of Nigeria, the AGF said the three arms of government must stay in their assigned tracks to avoid arbitrary excesses by any of the arms.

Stating that the constitution clearly provides for checks and balances, the minister said the division of powers amongst the three arms of government is, however, not absolute.

He, therefore, called for stronger synergy among the three arms of government for the betterment of the country.