The Escape Route

Some one added in the Meeting of 3^th of April, it is another ploy to draw the attention of the people away from the 3^th term agenda. Infact there are going to be several of diversionary ploys by senior government officials. He was contributing to the issue which the writer drew the attention of the Ikeja Bar to. The Honourable Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation had stated and to use the exact words in the publications "��I have looked at the law and it is under the law that I have derived the powers to do so �.." That really is the issue. It was however lost to sentiments at the meeting. Does the Honourable Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation have the powers he pretended to posses? What law did he look at as alleged. Could he had been referring a Nigerian legislation. He is described as a senior advocate of Nigeria, the understanding is, persons belonging to that category are in position to appreciate and interpret the law.

The attention of the Bar was equally drawn to the antecedent of the person of the Honourable Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation. Particular mention was made of his desertion of the Bar against constitutional provisions. His pronouncements it was observed, has continued to be a serious cause for concern. Far reaching decisions were reached. It remains to be seen if the same would be brought to bear. As agreed the times are indeed intriguing; it requires all to join hands.

As an aside, a catalogue of illegalities by his government including the mode of eviction of tenants in government quarters in Lagos and the pulling down of houses in Abuja against subsisting Orders made by Courts of competent jurisdiction for which the Bar had to embark on a national boycott of Courts. It was interesting that the Honourable Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation was not heard to have advised his government appropriately. There was also the opinion that no responsible government around the world would attempt any of those illegalities.

The Honourable Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation had by publications in front page of a number of newspapers, introduced a policy shift in legal education the crux of which is the privatization of the law school. According to him, the design is to effectively end the age-long problem of backlog of students awaiting admission into the Nigeria law school. "By this arrangement, the Council of Legal Education has the mandate to set the standard which these law schools must meet". Individuals would be free to own and operate law schools. Universities could also award the Barristers of Law certificate.

The approach one imagines, ought to be for; the Honourable Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation to draw up a Bill incorporating his intentions or at least divorcing his government with the law school. If really the intention is to take his government funds from the reach of the law school. Having done that, await the consideration of the National Assembly and who if they consider proper, would pass the Bill. Then again, the assent of the head of state is required to bring to effect his intentions. That is to say the least, how things are done in civilized and responsible republics. The questions that come to mind are; How did the Nigeria law school come into being? Are there other legislation recognizing the status of the Nigerian law school?

Outside of the law school palaver, a government that is unable render basic service has no business remaining in power; talk more prolonging its stay in office as alluded to above. It should not be convenient for government to take the nearest escape route whenever it is challenged to perform its function. The hypothetical imagination of Mr. President of running the country on auto cruise where the government renders no service to its people is unattainable any where.