Inibehe Effiong, a notable human rights lawyer, launched a scathing critique against Nigeria’s Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi, regarding his remarks on a potential state of emergency in Rivers State suggested by President Bola Tinubu. During an appearance on Thursday’s Breakfast Central, Effiong expressed his disappointment with Fagbemi’s assertion linking Governor Siminalayi Fubara to recent pipeline bombings, indicating a breach of legal expectation from such a high-ranking official.
Acknowledging Fagbemi’s accomplished legal career, Effiong mentioned the legal community’s hope for impartial legal guidance from him. “But the comments he made were quite disappointing coming from the Attorney General of the Federation,” he noted. He challenged Fagbemi’s insinuation that the Governor incited the pipeline bombings, demanding concrete evidence if any exists. “They should come out and say so,” Effiong insisted.
Effiong posed pointed questions about the AGF’s accusations. He questioned how many crimes Tinubu has publicly condemned in nearly two years of presidency, including violent incidents such as those in Ondo State. He argued that assuming a governor is responsible for a crime sets a perilous precedent, which undermines constitutional immunity.
The lawyer stressed that even if there were some evidence implicating Governor Fubara in the pipeline vandalism, this would not justify his suspension due to his constitutional protections. Effiong firmly stated, “That does not justify his suspension. He still has constitutional immunity.” He also cautioned that if the President or the AGF objects to these immunity provisions under Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution, they should advocate for changes rather than act unconstitutionally.
Effiong’s remarks shed light on the ongoing discussions about the legality of declaring a state of emergency in Rivers State, amid increasing political tension and contrasting views on governance, making his legal insight crucial to the current debate.
Inibehe Effiong, a human rights lawyer, criticises AGF Lateef Fagbemi for his comments about a state of emergency in Rivers State linking Governor Fubara to pipeline bombings. Effiong highlights the danger of holding governors accountable for crimes without evidence while defending constitutional immunity protections. His insights add critical legal context to the political debate in Rivers State.
The statements made by Inibehe Effiong underscore serious concerns regarding the Attorney General’s comments linking Governor Fubara to criminal acts and the implications of such remarks. His advocacy for constitutional protections and caution against undermining established legal frameworks articulate an important stance in the national discourse, especially regarding the balance of power and accountability in governance. Effiong’s insights remain pivotal in navigating the ongoing debates surrounding state emergency declarations in Rivers State.
Original Source: newscentral.africa
