Posted by By GODWIN TSA, Abuja on
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Michael Aondoakaa (SAN) on Tuesday disclosed that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has apologized to him on the altercation over the trial of former Abia State Governor, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu.
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Michael Aondoakaa (SAN) on Tuesday disclosed that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has apologized to him on the altercation over the trial of former Abia State Governor, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu.
Speaking at the launch of the rule of law initiative of the Federal Government, the minister explained that though EFCC did not bring up a formal apology, the explanations offered by an unnamed top official of the anti-graft body "satisfied all we needed."
According to him, "if somebody comes to you and explained himself over an issue to the effect that the lawyer in question went beyond his brief and that he acted in error, I consider that as an apology.
"The EFCC blamed the situation on communication gap and I honestly understand with them. It is not a personal thing between the commission and myself. I have buried the issue which is not significant to distract my official duties."
In a veiled response to the criticism of the rule of law agenda, described as capable of weakening the powers of the anti-corruption agency, Aondoakaa explained that his directives on the modalities of trial for alleged criminal offences, " were meant to strengthen and not cripple the anti-graft agencies."
Noting that the directives would promote the process of rule of law, the attorney general stated that government was desirous not to unnecessarily keep suspects in custody beyond 48 hours, adding, "anyone arrested by the anti-graft agencies must be taken to court within 48 hours in compliance with the rule of law programmes of the President Umar Musa Yar'Adua administration."
It is the belief of the justice minister that once the reforms were in place, the citizenry would be encouraged to seek redress in the law courts over acts of brutality or other forms of claimed curtailment of human rights.
He disclosed that his ministry was putting in place a committee to be made up of lawyers, journalists, human rights bodies and the public, which would examine and recommend appropriate amendments to be made in the existing statutes to fully promote the rule of law.
Aondoakaa stressed: "Remember that Mr. President, in his inaugural address, underscored that he came to highlight the rule of law. This is a commitment from the highest office in the land. Let me emphasize that in a democracy, the rule of law must remain the controlling and regulating force of our actions.
"The rule of law guarantees law and order, security and safety including, a stable political and economic environment."
Aside from promoting issues bordering on the rule of law, the minister said other aspects of the legal process include institutional reforms, administration of criminal justice reforms, administration of civil justice reforms, law reforms/legislative advocacy as well as promotion and protection of human rights.
Accordingly, he said he was working on strengthening the Code of Conduct Tribunal laws to make it a court of first instance so that high courts would no longer have powers to interfere in its operations.
He expressed the administration's commitment to comply with all court orders, adding that in the absence of that "there will be anarchy and people will not have confidence in the judiciary."
Meanwhile, the justice minister has vowed to prosecute any multinational company operating in the country that is found guilty of conveying workers in trucks rather than airconditioned buses as such act is not only inhuman but a breach of labour laws.
His words: "Carrying of labourers in trucks is dehumanizing and against labour law. We can no longer allow these companies to treat our citizens as inferior and secondclass citizens in their own country. Most of these multinational companies who come here and abuse our labour laws to humiliate our citizens must be prosecuted henceforth."
The chief law officer, who threw his weight behind the Freedom of Information Bill currently before the National Assembly, said the present administration was determined to partner with the media to project issues to appropriate level of national discourse, pointing out that he was prepared to partner with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) to re-present the Freedom of Information Bill to the National Assembly.
"I have also identified a number of bills that will be prioritized for urgent legislative advocacy. These include the Administration of Criminal Justice Bill, the Prisons Act Amendment Bill, the Community Service Bill, Victims of Crime (Remedies) Bill, as well as Administration of Justice Commission Bill."
Aondoakaa further said to protect public officers from being distracted, anonymous petition writers would no longer receive any hearing from the government.