The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, has urged Nigerians to stop interpreting judicial matters through partisan lenses.
Fagbemi made this statement while speaking with journalists on Thursday after the presentation of a book titled “Tribulations and Trophies: Bola Ajibola... in His Own Words!” in Lagos.
DAILY POST reports that the book is the autobiography of the late Bola Ajibola, a former Attorney-General of the Federation and ex-judge of the International Court of Justice at The Hague.
Fagbemi, while speaking on the emergency rule in Rivers State, said he has avoided taking sides on the declaration since the matter is being subjected to judicial scrutiny.
According to him, there is a need for stakeholders to shun emotions and sentiments when seeking answers to legal questions.
“When issues like this come up, people should go and read very well and get themselves familiar with what the law says. It’s not a matter of sentiment or emotions, but a matter of basic facts on the ground.
“Nigerians should stop interpreting the law based on political partisanship, but let’s stick to the law. You’ll see that I’ve avoided taking sides on any issue, though I’m part of the government.
“I know that this matter has been subjected to judicial scrutiny, and we should allow the court to make its decision one way or the other,”; the AGF said.
Recall that President Bola Tinubu, on March 18, declared emergency rule in Rivers State, citing a protracted political crisis.
The president also suspended Siminalayi Fubara, governor of the state; his deputy, Ngozi Odu; and all members of the Rivers Assembly for an initial period of six months.
Tinubu immediately appointed Ibok-Ete Ibas, a retired naval chief, as the state’s sole administrator.
