Resign if Tinubu Ignores Your Legal Advice, Ozekhome Tells AGF Fagbemi

Nigerian constitutional lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome, has called on the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, to resign if President Bola Tinubu continues to ignore his legal advice. Ozekhome made the call while criticizing the Federal Government’s directive to withhold funds meant for local governments in Osun State, describing the move as purely political and damaging to democracy.

He argued that the President may not be receiving sound legal guidance from Fagbemi, citing the AGF’s recent recommendation to the Ministry of Finance that local government allocations be released to sacked All Progressives Congress officials in the state. Ozekhome insisted such advice was improper and contrary to established legal precedent.

Drawing from history, Ozekhome reminded Tinubu of his own experience as governor of Lagos State when former President Olusegun Obasanjo withheld funds meant for local governments. He noted that the Supreme Court at the time ruled unequivocally that the Federal Government had no power to withhold allocations due to local governments.

The senior advocate questioned whether Fagbemi gave the right legal advice and was ignored, stressing that if that was the case, resignation would be the honourable path. He recalled how former Attorney-General Mohammed Bello Adoke once advised ex-President Goodluck Jonathan against removing the Governor of Plateau State during a state of emergency, and that Jonathan respected the advice.

Ozekhome urged Tinubu to learn from that precedent and ensure his administration does not undermine the rule of law.