Ozekhome also criticized FG’s decision to withhold funds meant for Osun State local governments.
By Kehinde Okeowo
Human right lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Prof. Mike Ozekhome, has urged the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi to quit his position if President Bola Tinubu refuses to listen to him.
He gave the advice on Sunday while appearing as a guest on Channels Television programme, ‘Politics Today’
Speaking during the interview, he criticized Federal Government’s decision to withhold funds meant for local governments in Osun State.
While calling the decision a political move, Ozekhome added that the President may not be getting proper legal guidance from Fagbemi following the AGF’s recent recommendation in a letter to the ministry of Finance that the LGA allocations be released to the sacked All Progressives Congress (APC) officials in the state.
He went on to note that the development is not good for democracy and reminded Tinubu that as the governor of Lagos State, he faced a similar issue with the then Olusegun Obasanjo, who withheld Lagos state allocations.
“The Supreme Court held that the Federal Government could never withhold funds meant for local governments in Lagos State,” he said.
Ozekhome further said he doubts if the President would reject proper advice and legal guidance from Fagbemi, adding, “If he did give the advice and the President ignored it, then he ought to resign.”
According to him, when then AGF, Mohammed Bello Adoke advised former President Goodluck Jonathan against removing the Governor of Plateau State from office while a state of emergency could be declared in Plateau, “The President abided by that advice.”
