The Attorney General of Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has said that the recent landmark judgment delivered by the Supreme Court granting full financial autonomy to the nation’s 774 local governments will not only improve governance at the local government level but also significantly improve security and access to human rights.
Fagbemi stated this on Thursday in Abuja at the 17th anniversary of the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria.
The AGF, who noted that local government is the closest level of government to the grassroots, bemoaned the total takeover of the affairs of the councils for two decades by state governors.
Noting that activities at the 774 local government areas were crippled and all efforts by previous administrations to solve the problem were frustrated, the AGF said he was elated that President Bola Tinubu’s government took the bold step to put an end to it for the sake of good governance.
He said, “This administration, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, being conscious of the linkage of governance with security and human rights, took the bold decision to approach the Supreme Court of Nigeria on this issue and that singular judgment of the apex court would not only improve governance at the local government level but would also significantly improve security and access to human rights.
“The intersection of governance, security, and human rights is crucial to the well-being and progress of any society. It is imperative that we explore these connections to understand how we can better serve our citizens and protect their fundamental rights”.
Fagbemi emphasised that good governance could only be achieved through collaborations among the three arms of government, noting that poor governance could lead to the erosion of rights and the perpetuation of injustice.
He added that the intervention by the judiciary and the expeditious passage of the Minimum Wage Bill were pointers to the fact that good governance at the local level would lead to improved security that would address the root causes of insecurity, such as poverty, unemployment, and social injustice.
He said, “Without security, the enjoyment of rights such as freedom of movement, expression, and association becomes impossible. However, security measures must always be balanced with the need to respect and protect human rights. Excessive use of force, arbitrary detentions, and other abuses undermine the very foundation of our democratic principles”.
The AGF cautioned law enforcement agents against keeping persons in detention beyond the time stipulated in the Constitution.
He warned that disobedience to carrying out their duties outside what is stipulated in the Constitution would no longer be tolerated as anyone caught would be punished.
“I wish to remind our law enforcement agents that they must respect the laws of the land and not keep people in detention beyond a reasonable time as stipulated in Section 35 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999.
“Law enforcement agents must do due diligence before arresting anyone. Situations where people are languishing in detention beyond the time allowed under the Constitution or by order of the courts, will no longer be tolerated and appropriate sanctions shall be meted out to those found guilty of contravening the laws of the land”, Fagbemi said.
He added that as the chief law officer of the country, he would ensure that no one trampled on the rights of another.
He said in ensuring access to justice and protection of human rights, the Federal Ministry of Justice had designated a Department of Citizens Rights where all complaints could be lodged and would be adequately addressed.
He added that the Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee a few days back presented to the public the 2024-2025 Strategic Action Plan as part of efforts to ensure the protection of human rights and this was also complemented on the same day by the official signing of the Practice Direction and Guidelines and Monitoring Framework on Remanding Proceedings by the Chief Judge of the FCT High Court, Justice Husseini Baba Yusuf.
Fagbemi said, “I am particularly delighted, as these groundbreaking feats towards refining the remand system underscore our dedication to ensuring that the rights of suspects are protected and that justice is administered without unnecessary delays.
“It is in this same spirit that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu exempted the Board of the National Human Rights Commission when he dissolved the Governing Board of all Federal Government agencies”.
