The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, has cautioned Nigerians against injecting political interpretations into judicial matters, particularly in light of the ongoing situation in Rivers State. Speaking in Lagos at the presentation of the autobiography of the late former AGF, Bola Ajibola, Fagbemi emphasized the importance of relying on the Constitution and objective facts rather than emotions or political affiliations when seeking legal clarity.
Fagbemi specifically addressed the diverse reactions surrounding the declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State and the appointment of a Sole Administrator. He noted that the matter is currently under judicial scrutiny and therefore urged the public to refrain from making unnecessary and potentially partisan comments. He stressed that legal issues should be approached with a focus on what the law stipulates, encouraging citizens to familiarize themselves with the relevant legal provisions instead of viewing them through a political lens.
Highlighting his own neutrality despite being part of the government, Fagbemi underscored the need to allow the judiciary to make its pronouncement on the Rivers State issue without undue public pressure or politically motivated interpretations. He reiterated that the fundamental basis for understanding and commenting on such matters should be the law itself, devoid of partisan sentiments or emotional responses.
The Attorney-General’s address served as a dual message: a call for objective, law-based analysis of judicial matters, especially the sensitive situation in Rivers State, and a commendation of the legacy of a legal luminary whose life exemplified dedication to justice and the rule of law. Fagbemi’s remarks underscore the crucial need for Nigerians to separate political biases from legal interpretations and to respect the judicial process.
