The Duty Of The AGF Is To Protect Public Interest – Abubakar Malami

The ex-Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami has broken down why several Nigerians still stay in custody even after they have been granted bail.

Malami disclosed that AGF is responsible for safeguarding the rights of individuals but the Office of the AGF focuses on public interest.

Mr. Malami said this as he answered questions from lawmakers during the screening of ministerial nominees.

His words, “But looking at Section 174 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I want to state that the office of the AGF is meant to protect public interest and where the individual interest conflicts with the public interest, the interest of 180 million Nigerians that are interested in having this country integrated must naturally prevail.

“That provision has been very well captured by the Apex Court in the case of Asari Dokubo versus the federal government, that where an individual interest conflicts the public interest, the public interest naturally prevails,”

“The major thing I can do differently to ensure bills from the national assembly are assented to by the president, is to establish a culture of deep-rooted collaboration not as we see it today. What we have today is simply a public hearing arrangement as a means of exchanging opinions and observations.

“A bill ought to be shared among the executive, judiciary and legislative in the name of national interest – so as to entertain opinions and objections.”

“The PIB, for instance, was rejected among others because the interest of the host community was at a point, compromised. In the sense that some sections were brought into it conferring powers on an individual as against the institution.

“That is one of the reasons it was declined. If at the point of conception, there was a collaboration in terms of understanding with judiciary, executive and relevant institutions, it would have been assented to.”

Asked what he intends to change if he appointed again to head the ministry, he said, “I want to be remembered as an AGF that stopped this nation from disintegrating by taking into consideration what is being manifested arising from hate speeches among others.

“I will ensure that out laws relating to treasonable felony are indeed effectively brought to here to ensure that this nation remains one and the same.

“I will ensure that we intensify the fight against corruption and recover debts locally and internationally make our system of governance most effective.”