There Is Close Correlation Between Democracy, Rule Of Law – AGF Fagbemi

The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN said, there is close correlation between democracy and rule of law, and that must be taken into cognisance in any judicial reform approach.

Fagbemi also said President Bola Tinubu was a known democrat and talking to him about democracy was like preaching to a convert, hence the rule of law can prevail under his watch.

The AGF who stated these at a special reception organised in his honour in Abuja at the weekend, also assured Nigerians that he would not fail them as the Chief Law Officer of the country.

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The Justice Minister thanked his colleagues and association for their support since his nomination and inauguration, promising not to dissapoint them during his stewardship.

“I have heard all the that you said, the admonitions and the pledges, I hold unto it. So, if I fail, it is all of us. I am not going there to fail, I want to succeed and I am enamoured by your pledge and I know you are not men or women of frivolities, no. I know what you stand for, I know what you can do. You can do a lot. I bank on this. It is not a cheque but a bank draft, it doesn’t bounce.

“It is not a night of another manifesto. I have to acknowledge, we are rounding up may be I should have said this at the beginning that the reform agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is genuine. One, you look at the man himself. When you talk of democracy, is like you are preaching a democrat and there is close correlation between democracy and rule of law.

“If you look at his antecedents, you will know that he should be a man to work with. A minister or worker is as strong, as powerful as his appointor wants him to be. And it is a factor that has put me in a very comfortable position. It is not that I am expecting that there won’t be quarrel or misunderstanding. No. There will be, no doubt,” he said.

Also speaking, Chairman of the occasion, Chief Wole Olanipekun said, given the dilligence and brilliance of the AGF, it would not be difficult for him 3 to survive what he called the banana peel and intrigues of politicians surrounding him.

Olanipekun said:” The position that you occupy is second to none but at the same time you have a master, you have an appointor. How do you balance the delicate situation? You have to be sober, you have to be reflective, you have to be retrospective, you have to be prayerful.

“You are just getting there. You are not the character we have to be preaching to. We don’t have to spoon feed you, you are the one to spoon feed us. Prince Lateef Fagbemi, we wish you well. Whether four years or for eight years, it will pass and you will be remembered for the good works you have done.

“Some take position, that position will be a curse to them but your own will be a blessing to you and your generation. Let me say this, there are people who have occupied positions but who can not come to an assembly like this, they have been hiding, they have been hibernating, they are afraid of their shadows.”

In his own remarks, a former AGF, Chief Olujinmi,( SAN) tasked the Justice Minister to seek for divine wisdom in managing the relationship between other Ministers and lawyers deployed to Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs).

“We pray for your success, we will work for your success, we will not be far from you and feel free at any time because your success is our success and God in heaven will be with you,”he said.