Group kicks as Minister of Justice-designate, Fagbemi shows up in Abia Election Tribunal
By Emma Ogbuehi
A civil society organisation, the Abia Renaissance Movement, (ARM) has kicked against the appearance of the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice-Designate, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, in court at the Abia State Election Petition Tribunal, in Umuahia on Thursday, August 17, 2023.
Fagbemi is the lead counsel to Governor Alex Otti in the cases brought by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) challenging his declaration as winner of the March 18 2023 governorship election in the state.
Although Fagbemi did not announce his appearance, his presence in court and his sitting with Alex Otti’s lawyers was interpreted by some lawyers present as a “needless attempt to intimidate members of the tribunal.
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In a release, the ARM argued that “After being nominated by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, screened, cleared and confirmed by the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to serve as a Federal Minister, and having been assigned the portfolio of Attorney-General and Minister of Justice of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, one thought that Chief Lateef Fagbemi ought to know that he can no longer show up in court for private cases in which he has interests like that of Mr Otti”.
In the statement signed by its Convener, Comrade Ukachukwu Chinonso and the Secretary-General, Comrade Mrs Maria Nwokoma, the ARM maintained that, having accepted public service, Fagbemi should no longer concern himself with private matters.
“It is obvious that since Mr Alex Otti sensed that the plethora and quality of evidence against him at the tribunal were too weighty, he has resorted to doing everything possible to intimidate the judiciary, arm twist witnesses and misrepresent INEC.
“We urge members of the panel to remain forthright and neither be swayed nor intimidated by an appointee when they enjoy the full support and protection of the Nigerian Judicial Council, (NJC), which is the only Body they are answerable to in the discharge of their duties.
“We call on Mr President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to call Mr. Lateef Fagbemi to order and not allow him bring opprobrium to his administration that is still trying its best to solve the myriads of problems afflicting the nation”, the statement concluded.