New Telegraph

Malami: Public interest’ll determine political situation for Kanu

…says Lagos panel report not conclusive on Lekki Toll Plaza incident

The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Federation, Mr Abubakar Malami, has said public interest and pulse will determine whether the Federal Government will consider a political solution or pardon for the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. Speaking yesterday on Channels TV programme Politics Today, Malami said the option of a political solution is not currently on his table, stating, however, that his action as AGF is always in the interest of the public. According to him, government is taking its time before disclosing the list of sponsors of terror in the country, adding that there are both local and international collaborators on the list. On the Lagos #EndSARS panel report, he said the report cannot be conclusive in establishing the position of what transpired on October 20, 2020, at Lekki Tollgate.

The minister said, “There are still additional layers of administrative processes and judicial processes that may follow before you can jump to conclusions to determine what occurred. “It is all about constitutionality, and I think what determines the constitutionality of what has been done and the factual situation on the ground. So, you cannot rule out any possibility inclusive of bringing any security apparatus once there exist a threat to national integrity, territory integrity of the nation or perhaps once there are certain security challenges on the ground.

“I’m not a security officer, but one thing I can tell you is that it is a function of what is on the ground and the function of the security apparatus of government to ensure that at the end of the day you have protection and provide adequate protection within the limit of the constitution.

“The issue is, what is the threat on the ground and then what is measures are necessary for the purpose of ensuring that peace and security that are being posed are checked accordingly. “Whether security personnel are armed or unarmed, I am not in the position to conclude but one thing I can tell you is that it is the responsibility of the government is to ensure the security of life and provide security as far as territorial integrity of a nation is concerned. “My decision in all respect, anytime and on-demand generally speaking would be a decision that would be based on the fact of the ground. It is the fact on the ground that determines my advice to the government with particular regard to public interest and justice and indeed provide security.

“It is not about who is involved but what are the facts and factual situation on the ground, my opinion as the chief law officer is to proffer a solution on the bases on facts on the ground and not on the bases or perhaps individual interest.” On whether live bullets were used on harmless protesters during protest, he said, “You are jumping to conclusions that live ammunition was indeed used on the EndSARS protesters. Whether the report says so or not, as far as I’m concerned, I’m not in the position to determine that, but part of the report you referred to was rejected; part of it was admitted. Within the contest of the White Paper too, you have a criminal investigation that must naturally follow for the purpose of criminal prosecution.”

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