By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja
Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN has said that there was no any legal impediment on him in relation to administration of oath being a lawyer, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, notary public and a legal practitioner.
Malami said this in a statement at the weekend by its Special Assistant on Media and Public Relations, Dr. Umar Jibrilu Gwandu in Abuja.
The AGF pointed out that working towards entrenchment of democracy and democratic culture is not only a desirable responsibility, but a constitutional one with regards to the constitutional provisions and the demand for sustenance of democracy in the country.
He explained that the office of the Attorney General exercises dual functions inclusive of that of Minister of Justice which is a political and advisory function.
Administration of justice, he stressed, is one of such functions
His words, “A federation is an embodiment of the governance inclusive of the Executive,Legislature and Judiciary with a possible expansion to accommodate private, corporate and associated entities.
“Within that context, it will not be out of place for an Attorney-General of the Federation to administer an oath on any one inclusive of leadership of any political party whether he belongs to it or not.
“Within the context of the other consideration, a lawyer, a judge and indeed a private legal practitioner and a commissioner for oath are recognized statutorily as people vested with the power to administer an oath. Attorney General of the federation that has fallen within that circle is never be an exception.
“The fundamental question that begs for an answer remains whether there exist any legal impediment on Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice in relation to administration of oath being a lawyer, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and a legal practitioner”, he stated.
The Minister of Justice therefore renewed his commitment in discharging constitutional responsibilities of upholding the democratic culture and compliance to the rule of law.
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