AGF Malami Calls For Collaboration For Effective Judiciary

The Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), has called on all state attorneys to work with the federal and state governments to promote an effective judicial system.

Abubakar Malami made this call on Tuesday during a discussion geared at creating a synergy between the two levels of government.

While making the keynote speech, Malami, stressed the necessity to assess the elements impeding harmony in the administration of justice.

The Attorney-General said, “The structure and system of governance of our federation are not oblivious of the possibility of having genuine disputes and frictions among the federating units, national and sub-national governments.

“Despite this, our shared values and common resources also make collaboration and mutual relationships necessary and fundamental. This august Body of Attorneys-General, therefore, occupies a critical position in driving national unity and development.

“We need to underplay the culture of mutual mistrust between the federal and state governments, to promote and enhance a symbiotic relationship between the federal and state governments.

“Our agenda at this conference seeks, therefore, to examine some of the issues militating against the desired synergy in the administration of justice and proffer practical ways forward. Beyond this Conference, the onus lies on us all to ensure that we sustain these conversations and engagements.

“While we presently have quite several such issues at different stages of judicial adjudication; it is not out of place if we jointly take a second look at these issues, to achieve mutual resolution without prejudice to subsisting legal rights. I am advocating this position to sustain our brotherliness, bring our professional calling to bear on governance and reduce tension or frictions; and properly project the state and federal governments as partners and not competitors.”

Speaking further, Malami urged the police to “examine areas of collaboration between the states and the Federal Government in terms of prosecution and other ways of combating insecurity,” noting that the battle against insecurity shouldn’t be left just in the hands of the federal government.