Anthony Iwuoma
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, has critivised the governors of southern Nigeria for banning open grazing in the region, describing the resolution as “indeed dangerous”.
Governors of the states in the Southern part of the country had in resolution in Asaba, Delta State capital resolved to ban open grazing of cows in the entire South in response to increasing destruction of lives and property by violent herdsmen.
However, Malami, who appeared on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday, said the governors had no right to prohibit freedom of movement of any Nigerian.
He likened the ban on open grazing to northern governors banning spare parts business in the North.
He said the ban was of no effect and insisted that the governors must first approach the National Assembly to seek constitution amendments in that respect.
“It is about constitutionality. Within the context of the freedoms expressed in our constitution…enshrined in our constitution, can you deny the rights of a Nigerian?” Malami asked, adding, “for example, it is as good as saying, maybe, the northern governors coming together to say that they prohibit spare parts trading in the North. Does it hold water?
“Does it hold water for northern governors to come out saying they now prohibit spare parts trading in the North? Look, if you are talking about a constitutionally guaranteed rights, it is to go back to ensure the constitution is amended.
“The freedom of movement, among others, is established in the constitution. If by an inch you want to have any compromise over it, the better approach is to go back to the national and sponsor a motion for open grazing to be prohibited and see whether you will have the desired support for constitutional amendment in that respect but it is indeed a dangerous position for any governor in Nigeria to think that he can bring about any compromise on the freedom and liberty of individuals to move around.”
