By: Okoi Obono-Obla It is a staggering surprise and ominously amazing that an Attorney General of the Federation could amass su...
By: Okoi Obono-Obla
It is a staggering surprise and ominously amazing that an Attorney General of the Federation could amass such stupendous wealth in just eight years of occupying this exalted position. The office is undoubtedly prime, ranking third in the hierarchical setup of the Council of Ministers of the Federation—the highest policy and decision‑making organ of the country.
The premier status of the Attorney General of the Federation is constitutionally bestowed and conferred, to the extent that it is the only ministerial position whose qualification is expressly prescribed and specifically mentioned in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999.
The Attorney General of the Federation is preeminent, being a statutory member of several constitutional bodies, including:
- The National Security Council (Section 25, Third Schedule, Part I)
- The National Defence Council (Section 4, Third Schedule, Part I)
- The Federal Judicial Service Commission (Section 153, Third Schedule, Part I)
- The Council of State (Section 153, Third Schedule, Part I)
He is simultaneously the Chief Prosecutor of the Federation, the Chief Legal Adviser to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and the Chief Legal Officer of the Federation. By virtue of the intersection between law, governance, and policy, the Attorney General’s input is invariably required in virtually every sector of government.
Until recently, Nigerians did not fully appreciate how lucrative the office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice could be. The revelation that an occupant of this office could acquire 41 choice properties worth over ₦240 billion within eight years would make even the most profit‑driven business magnates green with envy.
It is foreseeable that this disclosure will trigger intense lobbying and clamouring for appointment to the office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, now that the veil has been lifted on its immense influence and lucrativeness.
Conclusion:
The Attorney General of the Federation is not merely a minister; he is a constitutional powerhouse whose reach extends across governance, security, justice, and national policy. The recent revelations about wealth accumulation underscore both the prestige and the temptations of this office, making it one of the most sought‑after positions in Nigeria’s political landscape.
@ Okoi Obono-Obla
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