By Chibuike Nwabuko
ABUJA (Sundiata Post) – A group under the auspices of Coalition of Public Interest Lawyers and Civil Rights Advocates of Nigeria has called for the immediate dismissal of Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami and his counterpart in the ministry of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazzau for their role in the reinstatement of fugitive Abdulrasheed Maina into the Federal Civil Service service.
The group informed that it’s demand was anchored on Section 174(1) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, which says that “the Attorney General shall exercise his powers as Chief Law Officer of the Nation with particular attention to public interest, interest of Justice and safety from tyranny.” It added that it firmly believed that Malami was currently acting contrary to Nigerians’ collective interest as a people.
The group made the request on Thursday in a statement signed by its chairman, Pelumi Olajengbesi made available to Sundiata Post.
The group also known as Public Interests Defenders (PID) recalled that before the ultimatum by President Muhamadu Buhari on October 23 ordering the removal of Miana from service, it has it on good authority that Dambazzau approved the appointment of Alhaji Maina back into the Ministry of Interior as the Director of Human resources in the Ministry acting on the recommendation of Malami.
According to the group, “Since the records stipulates that Mr. Abdulrasheed Maina is yet to clear himself of the N195 billion scam which warranted the EFCC to declare him wanted in 2015, both Ministers cannot be said to have acted in good conscience nor within the mandate of their respective offices by reinstating Maina.
It continued, “The fact that a wanted suspect may even be reinstated to become a Director in the Civil Service after evidence abound to his guilt invites a reconsideration of the competence of the justice minister and his intentions.
The group maintained that Malami acted in a manner capable of mortgaging public trust, confidence and faith as a people and therefore must not be allowed to go scot free since the law contemplates no sacred cows in its temple.