There was uproar in Abia State, yesterday, as the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice-Designate, Chief Lateef Fagbemi, appeared at the Abia State Election Petition Tribunal holden in Umuahia the Abia State capital.

He is the lead counsel to Mr Alex Otti in the case brought by PDP’s Chief Okey Ahiwe challenging the declaration of Mr Alex Otti as winner of the March 18 2023 governorship election in the state.

Although Mr Fagbemi did not announce his appearance, his presence in court and his sitting with Mr Alex Otti’s lawyers was interpreted by some lawyers present as a needless attempt to intimidate members of the tribunal.

“After being nominated by the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, screened, cleared and confirmed by the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to serve as a Federal Minister, and having been assigned the portfolio of Attorney-General and Minister of Justice of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, one thought that Chief Lateef Fagbemi ought to know that he can no longer appear in court for private cases in which he has interests like that of Mr Otti,” one of the lawyers present quipped.

Another lawyer wondered why lawmakers appointed as ministers by President Bola Tinubu had to quit their former roles to attend Senate screening and focus on the job ahead but Fagbemi chose to cling to a private matter he was handling in court thereby casting doubts already about his impartiality as Minister of Justice if not just to intimidate members of the tribunal.”

In their own reaction through a statement signed by its Convener, Ukachukwu Chinonso and the Secretary-General, Mrs. Maria Nwokoma, and made available to the media in Umuahia, the Abia Renaissance Movement, ARM, said, “Having accepted public service, we wonder why Mr Fagbemi should still concern himself with private matters.

“It is obvious that since Mr Alex Otti sensed that the plethora and quality of evidence against him at the tribunal were too weighty, he has resorted to doing everything possible to intimidate the judiciary, armtwist witnesses and misrepresent INEC.

“We urge members of the panel to remain forthright and neither be swayed nor intimidated by an appointee when they enjoy the full support and protection of the Nigerian Judicial Council, NJC, which is the only Body they are answerable to in the discharge of their duties.

“We call on Mr President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to call Mr Lateef Fagbemi to order and not allow him bring opprobrium to the administration that is still trying its best to solve the myriads of problems afflicting the nation”, the statement noted.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/sunnewsonline.com/abia-uproar-as-minister-of-justice-designate-fagbemi-appears-in-court/%3famp

He is not yet sworn in, so it is in order.

Lateef fagbemi himself

"It is obvious that since Mr Alex Otti sensed that the plethora and quality of evidence against him at the tribunal were too weighty, he has resorted to doing everything possible to intimidate the judiciary, armtwist witnesses and misrepresent INEC.


Wishing him Good luck!

"It is obvious that since Mr Alex Otti sensed that the plethora and quality of evidence against him at the tribunal were too weighty, he has resorted to doing everything possible to intimidate the judiciary, armtwist witnesses and misrepresent INEC.


Wishing him Good luck!!

Since he is a lawyer to a Labour Party governor then this thread won't go far

This man fit dey high o sensimania tins

MrsTwrite:
"It is obvious that since Mr Alex Otti sensed that the plethora and quality of evidence against him at the tribunal were too weighty, he has resorted to doing everything possible to intimidate the judiciary, armtwist witnesses and misrepresent INEC.


Wishing him Good luck!

Wow, So Labor party to dey intimidate the judiciary?

He still has the right to do so, yet to be sworn in as a minister of federal republic

Front page pls for diverse opinions.

Labour Party in Abia State is being accused of wanting to intimidate the judiciary.

favor914:
Wow, So Labor party to dey intimidate the judiciary?

How do you mean?

Have they not been in court since months or are you being stupid?

LP dey shout all eyes on the judiciary but e reach Abia turn, Obidients turn deaf and dumb.

maticar:

How do you mean?

Have they not been in court since months or are you being stupid?

Has he been AG for months?
Why is LP begging Fagbemi to represent them? The same Fagbemi some demented Obidients were insulting when he beame AG.
LP wants to use Fagbemi to intimidate the Judges sitting on Abia election petition.

He is not sworn in yet, and he was on the case before he was appointed...

Thank God say na LP candidate he dey defend, if not obidients no go let us hear word if na APC candidate...

Illegality is a norm in APC



He should step down as a counsel

AmotekunSW:


Has he been AG for months?
Why is LP begging Fagbemi to represent them? The same Fagbemi some demented Obidients were insulting when he beame AG.
LP wants to use Fagbemi to intimidate the Judges sitting on Abia election petition.

What are you saying?

Did he become his lawyer just yesterday or since the court process?

Shey this Otti guy is LP?

He has to be otherwise the wailing and dragging from these moobs would have been very loud assuming it was APC

Mr. Fegbami thank you for standing by us, thank you very much. But don't forget to tell the upper echelon that ALL EYES ON THE JUDICIARY

All eyes on the judiciary

Na wa ooo, how LP come take turn to ruling party now

Nor be NIGERIA again?

Buh for now, he's still a private citizen...
Till he is sworn into office.

After reading through, I saw where PDP said the evidence against OTTI is heavy,
This people mumu sha...

Okoroawusa:
Since he is a lawyer to a Labour Party governor then this thread won't go far

Why won't the thread go far

christejames:
Illegality is a norm in APC

Read but slowly this time around

h

Do You Know That , 35 Governors including FCT Minister Will Loot FG Palliatives Funds , Except Prof Zulum Governor of Bornu State

The fact that this Fagbemi is Otti's lawyer says a lot. A core APC man as Labour Party's lawyer.

Some of you that think some politicians are Saint just because they belong to a particular party are being delusional.