The long-standing agitation for the separation of the office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) from the Minister of Justice resurfaced yesterday as a bill seeking the divorce passed second reading in the House of Representatives.
The bill when passed would seek the amendment of Section 150 of the 1999 Constitution as amended, which provides for the office of the Attorney General of the Federation, who shall be the Chief Law Officer and a Minister of the Federation.
By this provision, anyone appointed into the office plays the roles of a chief law officer and minister.
But following perceived undue executive influence on the occupiers of the office, there have been agitations for the separation of the office of the chief law officer (Attorney General) from that of the Minister of Justice.
At the plenary yesterday, the sponsor of the bill, Hon. Mohammed Monguno, who is also the Chief Whip of the House, said the powers vested in the attorney general by the constitution were judicial in nature, adding that when exercised to the fullest, they could affect the rights of the people and therefore should not be subjected to political interference.
He added that the attorney general has the power to declare a nolle prosequi or discontinue a case already in court, stressing that recent developments are suggestive of the fact that it should be isolated from political interference.
Monguno noted that while the president would be free to use political consideration to appoint the minister of justice, the appointment of the attorney general should be based only on career progression.
In his contribution, Hon. Nicholas Ossai, said the bill was first passed by the 7th and 8th Assembly, adding that a particular office should not be vested with too much power.
