Reps Propose Bill To Separate AGF and Justice Minister Positions

Reps Propose Bill To Separate AGF and Justice Minister Positions

The House of Representatives is deliberating a bill aimed at separating the roles of the Attorney General of the Federation from those of the Minister of Justice. If passed, the legislation will also ensure the separation of the Attorney General’s office from that of the Commissioner of Justice in various states…READ MORE…

This bill, co-sponsored by Peoples Democratic Party members Mansur Soro (Darazo/Ganjuwa Federal Constituency, Bauchi State) and Oluwole Oke (Osun), is currently under review by the House Committee on Constitution Review, chaired by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu.

The proposed legislation seeks to amend Section 150 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) to include a new sub-section stating, “There shall be an Attorney-General of the Federation who will serve as the Chief Law Officer of the Federation, distinct from the Minister of Justice, and appointed by the President, subject to Senate confirmation.”

Furthermore, the bill aims to introduce a new sub-section to Section 195 of the Constitution, which states, “There shall be an Attorney-General for each State who shall serve as the Chief Law Officer of the State, to be appointed by the Governor, pending confirmation by the House of Assembly.”

In an exclusive interview with Sunday , Soro explained the rationale behind the proposed legislation. “This initiative aims to improve the efficiency of the criminal justice system, protect the public interest, and prevent the misuse of legal processes in public prosecutions at both the federal and state levels.”

He further noted, “The Federal Minister of Justice and state Commissioners of Justice often act as partisan political advisers, providing legal counsel to the cabinet and managing judiciary policies. In contrast, the Attorney General represents the federal or state governments, oversees prosecutions, and advises on proposed legislation and agreements. The role of the Attorney General is expected to be impartial.”

Soro emphasized that combining the functions of the Minister or Commissioner of Justice with that of the Attorney General could create conflicts of interest. The bill seeks to “remove these conflicts, minimize the risk of political interference, and enhance public confidence in Nigeria’s justice system.”

Regarding potential financial implications if the bill becomes law, Soro stated that the benefits of the proposal significantly outweigh the costs. “I support affordable governance, but when you evaluate the objectives of this proposal, the benefits are greater than concerns about the cost of governance,” he concluded.

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