We’ve been pragmatic in applying Supreme Court judgment on LG autonomy – Fagbemi

Mr Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), says since the Supreme Court judgment on the local government autonomy, the Federal Government has been trying to ensure its implementation with required human and pragmatic solutions.

Fagbemi, who is also the Minister of Justice, stated this on Thursday at the Body of Attorneys-General (BOSAG) Conference in Abuja.

The minister, while reacting to a remark by the A-G of Nasarawa State, Mr Labaran Magaji, said: “Since the judgment was handed down on 11th of July, we have been trying to give it the required human, pragmatic solution.

“Otherwise, I would have, because each time they called me what do we do, I can simply tell the Ministry of Finance, this is the way and that would have been it.”

He said the decision by the court was not meant to injure anybody but to strengthen the system.

“And it is in this regard that I want us to look at it holistically as something affecting the interest of all.

“It is not impossible that along the line, one or two issues may give us some concern, but let us look at it in the overall interest of our dear nation,” he said.

Earlier, Magaji, while delivering his speech on behalf of the body, said that the 36 states were having a challenge in the implementation of the apex court judgment.

“I will not mince my words to say that we, in the 36 states, are having issues in the implementation of the Supreme Court judgment on local government autonomy and I hope we will have a common ground to ensure the implementation.

“We are waiting for the wonderful committee which you are the chairman to ensure that we are not working in the opposite direction of the reform,” he added.

Magaji, however, said that the states were witnessing a lot of reforms under the current government “and we are doing our best to ensure that in our states, we meet the best practice required.”

Fagbemi tasked the state’s Attorneys-General on the need for further cooperation and collaboration in order to jointly address contentious issues affecting the federation.

The AGF, who lauded BOSAG for their efforts with regards to national policy development aimed at enhancement of justice delivery, said that with their efforts, they had been able to achieve harmonised positions on critical issues affecting justice delivery.

Top on the issue, he said, are the development of the National Policy on Justice, and National Policy on Arbitration.”

“I would like to commend you all for the modest successes we have achieved as a body, in building consensus along issues which resulted in the validation and adoption of these Policies.

“These efforts reflect bold initiatives aimed at achieving national aspiration for the justice sector through unity of purpose.

“The National Policy on Arbitration, which was recently approved by the Federal Executive Council, is a significant initiative to strengthen arbitration and alternative dispute resolution practice through a robust and effective governance mechanism.

“Even more significant is the National Policy on Justice, which is a blueprint that outlines the desired reforms in the Justice Sector, to engender fair, accountable, and transparent administration of Justice in the Country.

“I have no doubt that these policies will serve as the foundation for achieving the much-desired reforms in the administration of justice and strengthen the capacity of the justice system to play its role in the socio-economic development in the country.

“I am therefore particularly interested in deepening the relationship with the Honourable Attorneys-General of the States to enable us to continue to drive the much-needed change and create uniform solutions to challenges affecting justice delivery in Nigeria.

“We must therefore continue to promote institutional engagement and avoid unnecessary litigation where possible,” he said.

It was reported that other speakers at the conference were the Solicitor General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice, Mrs Beatrice Jedy-Agba, among others.