APC NEC Meeting: I did No Wrong for Administering Oath- Malami replies
The 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.
The Minister made this known in a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Dr. Umar Jibrilu Gwandu, during the weekend.
Malami said working towards entrenchment of democracy and democratic
culture is not only a desirable responsibility, but a constitutional one regard, being had to the constitutional provisions and the demand for sustenance of democracy in the country.
He explained that the office of the Attorney General exercise dual functions inclusive of that of the Minister of Justice which is a political and advisory function, while Administration of justice is one of such functions.
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“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’’, he further explained .
“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. The Attorney General of the Federation that has fallen within that circle is never an exception”, he added.
According to him, “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.
Malami, therefore, renewed commitment in discharging constitutional responsibilities of upholding the democratic culture and compliance to
the rule of law.
Ogundoro Modupe
Deputy Director
