The Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, has challenged States Attorneys-General in Nigeria to always resist pressures from their governors to influence the course of justice to serve their interests.
He made the call on Tuesday during a state dinner organised in honour of the members of the Committee for the Review of the Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.
The Committee, led by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), is in Ebonyi State for its meeting scheduled to hold from August 26 to 30, 2025.
Nwifuru, who extolled the enviable professional records of Fagbemi in the advancement of laws and the legal profession in Nigeria, commended President Bola Tinubu for the many reforms he has introduced in the governance of the country.
He buttressed the importance of the judicial arm of government, stressing the need for lawyers and the judiciary in general to win the confidence of Nigerians by demonstrating exemplary integrity.
Speaking particularly to state’s Attorneys-General, the governor admonished them to be fair and firm in the discharge of their duties for the sake of posterity.
Nwifuru emphasised: “I want to talk to the Attorneys-General tonight.
“It’s good my Attorney-General is here.
“Anytime your ‘Oga’ calls you, telling you he wants a particular judgement in a particular way, tell him that the judgement for that case is not in the market place.
“Judgement is not like vegetables you can go to the market to buy.
“Anytime your ‘Oga’ asks you to go to court and release a criminal or a murderer, look at him face to face and tell him the nature and legal implications of the crime.
“Sit down with him to discuss.
“Your serving me as the governor does not mean I should control your job for you because you already prepared yourself as a lawyer before being appointed as Attorney-General by any governor.
“The prestige of your profession is more important than anybody’s sentiment.
“I’ve never called my Attorney-General for one day demanding pardon for anybody who has committed a crime.”
Governor Nwifuru further enjoined the committee to be dedicated and thorough in their assignment, stressing that the outcome of their meeting would shape the legal future of the Nigerian nation.
Fagbemi, in his speech, appreciated the governor for accepting to host the meeting.
He also commended Nwifuru for avowing his non-interference with the activities of the judiciary, adding: “I will tell the world that here, the judiciary has its independence.
“You are one governor we will always want to have.”
The AGF stated that most Attorneys-General’s advice to governors could be likened to bitter pills, which eventually heals ailments, and admonished governors to have confidence in the professional inputs of their Attorneys-General.
In a welcome address, the Ebonyi State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Ben Uruchi Odo, noted that laws were made to create room that will make life flourish.
Odo said: “In Ebonyi State, we believe that life and law belong together.
“In Ebonyi State, we believe that justice is stronger when it is on the shoulders of the communities.
“In Ebonyi state, we believe that the best ideas are born not in a debate but in a fellowship like this.”
He urged the visitors to relax and harness the rich and serene environment of the state as they painstakingly undertake their very important assignment.
Meanwhile, Governor Nwifuru, while officially declaring open the event on Wednesday, described the meeting as apt, stating that the laws of the federation of Nigeria were reviewed last in 2004, over 20 years ago.
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In an interview at the opening event, the state Attorney-General said the event would inspire the stepping down of the review to the sub-national, including Ebonyi State, revealing that the state’s laws were last reviewed and codified in 2009.
The Committee is chaired by a prominent legal luminary, Olawale Fapohuna (SAN).
Recall that the 46-man Committee made up of high-powered law experts from various fields was inaugurated on October 24, 2024 by President Tinubu.
The expected key areas of focus for the committee include identification of outdated laws, which are not in line with contemporary needs and values, as well as harmonisation of conflicting laws to ensure uniformity and consistency.
