Ben Agande
14 May 2008
Lagos — The Attorney-General of the federation, Chief Michael Aondoakaa has denied media reports quoting him as saying that the Obasanjo administration was a lawless one.
A statement signed by Mr Onov Tyuulugh, his Special Assistant on Media and Special duties pointed out that through out his briefing last week, the minister never mentioned Obasanjo or his administration.
"The only point where |Obasanjo's name was mentioned in the entire briefing was by a reporter who wanted to know what the Attorney - General was doing about Senator Iyabo Obasanjo who is wanted by the EFCC. The Attorney-General of the federation replied that the matter was in court and he is a defendant, so he would not make comments on it"
A national newspaper (not Vanguard) reported at the weekend that the President was worried that the Attorney-General declared President Obasanjo's administration as a lawless one.
But according to the aide of the Attorney-General, 'when one talks of the judicial lawlessness that preceeded this administration, it is not a reference to Obasanjo in particular. All the dictatorship of the past are culpable and it is mischievous to pin it down to Obasanjo.
"In any case, if we must move forward, we must admit the mistakes of our past. This is why Aondoakaa and every patriotic Nigerian admit that this administration was preceeded by lawlessness. No reporter of conscience will prosecute the AGF for this statement.
"References to the death of General Shehu Musa yaradua are not 'infantile' but represent the height of lawlessness and violation of human rights in this country.
This happened under the leadership of General Sani Abacha and it is only when we remind ourselves of these stark and unfortunate realities as a nation that we can have the mindset to appreciate what is happening in the country now" he stated.
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It is very disappointing for the justice minister not have openly come out with the STARK TRUTH that after the very obvious and very long reign of lawlessness in the country, it was President Obasano's Administration that VERY POSITIVELY created and started to apply the RULE OF LAW in the country that the present administration met already operating in the country but try take credit for. The continuous deterioration of security in the country shows how much of the rule of law that was brought in in the last administration is being maintained generally or sustained by the present… [Read Full Text]