The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has faulted the recent declaration by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, that his office will probe the September 11 United Kingdom property tribunal judgment involving Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, and the late General Jeremiah Useni over a disputed London property.
HURIWA described the AGF’s pronouncement as an unnecessary hysteria, warning that it is unconstitutional, illegal, and amounts to a dangerous witch-hunt of one of Nigeria’s most consistent voices speaking truth to power.
The rights group questioned why a matter already adjudicated by a foreign court is now being re-opened in Nigeria under the guise of professional misconduct, when no element of criminal liability was established against Ozekhome.
The Association observed that it has become a worrying trend for government agencies and anti-graft bodies to target Nigerians after they have faced legal issues abroad, while ignoring more pressing and glaring matters at home.
“Why has the Nigerian government not shown equal enthusiasm in investigating the damning declaration by a Canadian Federal High Court that both the APC and the PDP are terrorist organisations?” HURIWA asked.
“Why is there no hysteria from the AGF or ICPC over this global embarrassment, but a sudden mob action to diminish the integrity of a lawyer whose only offence appears to be his fearless advocacy?”
HURIWA noted that documents and testimonies from the tribunal proceedings reveal that Chief Ozekhome’s link to the London property was by a valid transfer executed by the late General Useni, and that he had presented the only surviving pre-registration conveyancing documents in the case.
“The judge himself acknowledged that it was Ozekhome, not the applicants, who provided the historical title records. If anything, this underlined his legitimate claim,” the group pointed out.
“The tribunal’s decision, whether agreeable or not, has been delivered. It is unheard of for the Nigerian government to contemplate dragging a citizen through another round of persecution over a matter conclusively decided outside our jurisprudence.”
The rights advocacy body alleged that the renewed push to what the group said is an attempt to discredit Ozekhome is being instigated by some senior lawyers close to the Attorney General, who feel threatened by his stature and independence.
“The move by the AGF and now the ICPC to ‘verify’ and ‘re-investigate’ this matter smacks of a coordinated attempt to whittle down his voice of reason. This is mob action by other means,” HURIWA said.
Calling the plan unconstitutional, HURIWA stressed that the Nigerian Bar Association and the Body of Senior Advocates must resist attempts to weaponize disciplinary processes against independent-minded lawyers.
“We insist that Chief Mike Ozekhome cannot be sacrificed on the altar of professional jealousy and political intimidation.
“This probe is a travesty that should be abandoned immediately. Nigeria must not allow its legal profession to descend into mob rule,” HURIWA added.
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