Lateef Fagbemi, the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), has issued a stern warning against any attempts to undermine the democratic process in Nigeria.
Speaking at a valedictory court session in Abuja on Thursday in honor of the retiring Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Kayode Ariwoola, Fagbemi emphasized that any move toward an undemocratic change of government will not be tolerated.
The AGF made it clear that the administration of President Bola Tinubu, which came into power through democratic means, can only be replaced via the ballot box at the end of its tenure, as outlined in the Nigerian Constitution.
“The laws of the land have made copious provisions on how to deal with treasonable acts; therefore, the full wrath of the law will catch up with such treasonable felony,” Fagbemi said, according to a report by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
Fagbemi further stressed that while the government is committed to upholding the fundamental rights of all citizens, no breach of these rights will be tolerated unless it is within the framework of the Constitution.
The AGF also highlighted the federal government’s ongoing efforts to reform and modernize the country’s justice sector, ensuring it receives the recognition and support it deserves.
“With the massive turnaround being put in place by the present administration, the justice sector will be given a place of pride it deserves,” he noted.
Fagbemi pointed to the recent 300 percent salary increment for judicial officers as a key example of the government’s commitment to enhancing the judiciary.
In his remarks, the outgoing CJN, Kayode Ariwoola, called for measures to reduce the backlog of cases at the Supreme Court. He noted that delays in the justice system often result from the overwhelming access to justice, which leaves litigants and lawyers waiting for years to have their cases heard.
Ariwoola officially retired on Thursday upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 70. His tenure as CJN has been marked by efforts to address the inefficiencies within the judicial system, a legacy that the current administration appears eager to build upon.