By Abiola Olawale
In a worrying development, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, has raised concern that the judiciary is no longer serving the interest of the common man but politicians and other influential people in the country.
The Minister who spoke during the commissioning of a N37 billion construction of the Abuja Division of the Appeal Court Complex at Daki-Biyu, accused some politicians and powerful people of influencing court judgments to the detriment of Nigerians.
Fagbemi said it is saddening that the judiciary which used to be the hope for the common man could no longer fight for the truth and the protection of the people.
He said: “Gone were those days when the judiciary was regarded as the last hope of the common man. I take objection to it. It is the big people now who patronise the judiciary, not even the common man. If you have any doubt, the election is approaching, come and see the way, with all due respect, some people behave like rain-beaten chickens. Forgive me, I don’t mean to be rude. So, the judiciary is no longer the last hope of the common man alone, it is also, or majorly now, the last hope of the big shots.”
Meanwhile, several Nigerians have begun to react to the comments made by the Minister of Justice.
Below are some of the reactions curated from social media:
“This government is so good at singing about our problems but has no inclination or determination to make the changes, which is what politics is all about if they don’t know.
EFCC chairman tells about corruption, Tinubu tells about insecurity, very low megawatts of power ..etc”(@dede)
“As if you are not the one controlling the judiciary… Hypocrite”(@starboy_uzoma)
“First step to the solution of a problem, is to identify the problem.
Nigeria has identified her problems long, long ago.
But for our politicians, the solution to Nigeria’s problems will be a problem to them after solving the problem.”(@evansboyant)
“Talk is cheap sir. So in your position as the AGF what private bill have you sponsored so far or how are you advising your principal to implement Oronsaye’s Report, the electoral system and many other disastrous policies of this ineptitude government?”(@franko4u)
