Nigeria’s Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami says the government is reviewing Senate’s rejection of President Muhammadu Buhari’s request to alter the 2022 Electoral Act.
Malami, who briefed State House correspondents after Wednesday’s meeting of the Federal Executive Council presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, said the government has a lot of options to consider on the issue.
“As far as the legislative process is concerned, the constitution is clear; Clear in the sense that it is the responsibility of the National Assembly to legislate and the functions associated to enactment laws and legislations exclusive to the National Assembly.
“National Assembly has taken the position and if the government is in any way, is of the opinion that there are certain conflicts associated with the Constitution in terms of breaching the provisions of the Constitution related to lawmaking, the government has a lot of options to consider and exploit.
“One of the options is to request or demand the National Assembly to reconsider.
“The other option if the government feels strongly about is to consider the judicial option which is equally available and open to all.
“Then the third option is to look at the law within the context and spirit of the law to see what it can do, and all these options are on table.
“No position has been conclusively taken on the part of the government. The government is reviewing, the government is looking and the government will come up with a position at the appropriate time if the need for further action is required.
“If there is no further need for such action, the government will take it as presented.
“So no position has been taken by the government as of today, with particular regard to what needs to be done on the part of the executive arising from the provision of the Electoral Act, in respect of which issues of conflict to the constitution were raised.”
Abba Kyari
Malami explained that the extradition trial of suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari has no connection with his case with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.
“There is aspect associated with the case of Abba Kyari that is being handled at the international level, particularly the US; and the US, arising from the case of Hush Puppi, sent in a request for extradition.
“The way and manner these things are done with particular regard to extradition, the Office of the Attorney-General upon receipt of international request for extradition usually present the same request before judicial process for consideration.
“So, the conclusion as to whether a person should be extradited or not is a joint function, or perhaps, a multilateral function, inclusive of the international community that makes the request, the Office of the Attorney-General that received the request and the judiciary to which the request is presented for review, analysis and decision.”
He explained that the extradition trial is distinct, separate and a clear case adding that the case for which Kyari was charged by the NDLEA is a local matter and unrelated to the extradition case.
PIAK
