MALAMI EXTOLS THE BODY OF ATTORNEYS GENERAL FOR CONTRIBUTING TOWARDS JUSTICE SERVICE ,BID THEM FAREWELL
The Honourable Attorney - General of the Federation and Minister of Justice (HAGF), Abubakar Malami has extolled the Body of Attorneys-General for their commitments and contribution towards Justice Service, said it would be his last address to the Body.
“I must remark that today’s gathering is an emotional one for me as an individual, for it indeed offers me a unique opportunity to specially appreciate you all for contributing your quota to the development of our profession and nation at large. For majority of us, it is also an opportunity to bid farewell to one another on this platform’’
The Honourable Minister expressed this at the Body of Attorneys – General Conference held on Tuesday 16th May, 2023 in Abuja.
In his remarks, Malami said, for over Seven Years, he had been privileged to relate and work together with dedicated public servants and some of the best legal minds. Moreover, he could say with all sense of responsibility that they had together strived within humanly possible limits to discharge meritoriously the onus and duties of the position of leadership which providence bestowed on Attorneys -General.
‘’Expectedly, we have been able to guide our principals and shape public governance towards advancing the course of justice, rule of law and deepening our democratic practices. Over the years, we have recorded modest gains in term of reforms in the justice sector, law reforms through legislations, judicial decisions which expounded our jurisprudence’’ he explained.
The Honourable Minister disclosed that, the Body of Attorneys –General was formed as a platform for the Attorney General of the Federation and Attorneys – General of 36 States to meet and deliberate on pertinent legal issues affecting the nation, explore area of mutual concerns.
‘’Over the years, the Body has grown to be so much more and I am especially proud of our achievements and efforts to resolve matters expediently and the administration of justice in Nigeria. It is to our credit that we now have vibrant platform to engender genuine interactions in our quest to be our brother’s keeper, promote equity and national harmony.’’ he expressed.
Enumerating on the achievements of the Body, HAGF said at their last meeting on January, 2023, several issues were raised which the Body set up a sub-committee to look into and provide recommendations. The salient issues according to him include the Payment of pension for Judiciary officers, sharing of Stamp Duties collections, Value Added Tax, NFIU Guidelines, regulation of the mining and gaming industry and other issues relating to policing and security. There are other areas of mutual evaluation and collaboration which includes combating and prosecution of Terrorist and other violent crimes where in national interest, they would no more see themselves as competitors or opponents but rather relate as partners in progress.
‘’I also wish to reiterate the need for both Federal and State Governments to continue to dialogue on perceived issues of dispute, this is an avenue for cross-fertilization of ideas. We must be able to put the interest of the nation forward by addressing any mater together as a Body without prejudice to the right of any party to litigate where necessary’’ he conversed.
Malami said that in the couple of weeks from now, a new administration would be ushered in at the Federal Level and in Majority of States.
‘’The implication of this is that this will be my last address to this August Body in my capacity as Chief Law Officer of the Federation, in the same way that some of you will also be exiting your offices. While I wish whoever is privileged to be my successor the best time in office”. He concluded
In another development, the Secretary of National Arbitration Policy Committee, Felix Ota-Okojie, Esq also presented the National Arbitration Policy Draft which was considered and approved by Body of Attorneys-General. He revealed that the Draft was arrived at after a wide and robust consultation with the Arbitration Community ably led by Mrs. Funke Adekoya SAN, an independent arbitrator and litigation consultant.
He further stated that the Policy was meant to protect Nigeria’s economy by ensuring that transactions originating and terminating in Nigeria were arbitrated in Nigeria. It also sought to make Nigeria the seats/venues of arbitration thereby harnessing the talents of Nigerian lawyers who have specialised in arbitration and curtail the flight of arbitration to other climes.
Recall that the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami, SAN, CON inaugurated the National Arbitration Committee headed by the erudite Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, OON, FCI. Abr, as Chairman on 13th October, 2020.
In her closing remarks, the Solicitor General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary (SGF/PS) Federal Ministry of Justice Mrs Beartrice Jedy-Agba OON,mni said she hoped that the process will continue because it’s for the best interest of the nation.
Jedy-Agba congratulated all of them and wished them well in their legal endeavors and safe journey back to their respective destinations.
She also congratulated the HAGF for resuscitating all of these various mechanisms envisaged by Legal National Act, triggering reform.
In his goodwill message the Attorney-General and Commissioner of Lagos State who also doubles as Chairman, Body of States Attorneys - General, Moyosore Onigbanjo explained that what the HAGF and the Ministry of Justice have done is to set the way forward for all her successors because one day each and every one of them in the room holding one office or another will leave that sit.
He further explained that their successors have a template to follow and for this template they are grateful through the Honourable Attorney General because he believed that going forward, disputes between the state and the Federation that were handled in the manner they have done in the last couple of months towards the end of this administration .
He said kudos to his colleagues and every one of them that have consistently left their various state capitals in the pursuit of justice, access to justice, resolution of disputes and foster a very viable Nigerian Judicial System.
Also goodwill messages were delivered by Attorney-General of Borno State Hauwa Abubakar and President, Nigerian Bar Association Yakubu Maikyau, SAN.
Making a remark the NBA President described the legal body as the bedrock of Nation’s existence, charging stakeholders to continue to extend their dexterity and sagacity for a better judicial sector.
Mercy Omoyajowo
For; Director (Information)
17th May, 2023
PHOTO CAPTION:
PIX 1: VICE CHAIRMAN, BODY OF BENCHERS, CHIEF ADEGBOYEGA AWOMOLO,SAN AND OTHER DIGNITARIES PRESENTING PLAQUE TO THE HON. ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE FEDERATION AND MINISTER OF JUSTICE, ABUBAKAR MALAMI SAN,CON AT BODY OF STATES ATTORNEYS-GENERAL CONFERENCE, TUESDAY 16TH MAY, 2O23 AT ABUJA CONTINENTAL HOTEL.
PIX 2: PLAQUES WERE PRESENTED TO THE SOLICITOR GENERAL OF THE FEDERATION AND PERMANENT SECRETARY, FEDERAL MINISTRY OF JUSTICE, BEATRICE JEDY-AGBE OONM mni BY CHAIRMAN, BODY OF BENCHERS, CHIEF ADEGBOYE AWOMOLO SAN, HON. ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE FEDERATION AND MINISTER OF JUSTICE, ABUBAKAR MALAMI SAN, CON AND OTHER DIGNITARIES AT BODY OF STATES ATTORNEYS-GENERAL CONFERENCE TUESDAY 16TH MAY, 2O23 IN ABUJA
PIX 3 : HON. ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE FEDERATION AND MINISTER OF JUSTICE, ABUBAKAR MALAMI SAN, CON IN A GROUP PHOTOGRAPH WITH THE STATES BODY OF ATTORNEYS-GENERAL, TUESDAY 16TH MAY, 2023 IN ABUJA.
More photos below.
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