…Accuses Justice Minister of Undermining Rule of Law, Calls on Tinubu to Intervene
By Comfort Olayinka
The Osun State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has issued a scathing rebuke of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, accusing him of partisan overreach and abuse of office.
In a strongly worded statement, the party condemned what it described as an “unlawful obstruction” of statutory financial allocations to Osun’s local government councils, labeling the move a direct assault on constitutional governance.
Citing legal maxims such as nemo judex in causa sua and audi alteram partem, the PDP argued that Mr. Fagbemi’s prior legal affiliations with former Governor Gboyega Oyetola disqualified him from intervening in matters affecting Osun State’s political landscape.
“The Attorney-General is dangerously eroding the doctrine of separation of powers,” the party stated, accusing Fagbemi of reviving old political wounds from the 2022 gubernatorial contest, which the PDP’s Ademola Adeleke won.
The party further criticized the AGF’s reported advisory against local government elections and blamed his actions for escalating tensions that led to unrest in the state.
They called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to restrain Fagbemi, warning that the Justice Minister’s actions risk staining the democratic legacy of the administration.
“The people of Osun have spoken through the ballot. Their choice must be respected. Justice must not only be done, but must be seen to be done,” the statement concluded.
