For Nigerians to enjoy good governance, the three arms of government must shelve their differences, agree to cooperate and work in the same direction, says Speaker, Kwara State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Dr. Ali Ahmad.
Ahmad, who was speaking at a book presentation titled “The Challenges of Administration of Criminal Justice Act” written in his honour in Abuja on Thursday, said what transpired while working on the ACJA before its eventual assent by former President Goodluck Jonathan taught him a great lesson that every arm of government needs one another to achieve success.
The Speaker who was the chairman, House Committee on Justice at the 7th House of Representatives while acknowledging the support garnered towards Bill’s passage said that the nation has equally “witnessed an equally unprecedented iteration of the ACJA to the Supreme Court 5 different times within its first two years”.
He revealed that in a bid to protect the ACJA, the 7th National Assembly was not sure whether the Bill might be shut down in some respects by the judiciary on constitutional ground, thereby making it propose a constitutional amendment to parties’ constitutional entitlement to appeal as of right in interlocutory matters.
The lawmaker added, ” With the Supreme Court’s decision in Olisah Metuh’s case a few months ago, the judiciary is saying nothing is stopping implementation of ACJA. Today, we are celebrating that spirit of togetherness among stakeholders of the three arms of government”.
Ahmad, however, stressed that though ACJA is a breakthrough, it is limited to the criminal aspect of the law, “therefore the nation needs a similar groundbreaking legislation to address the undue delay in civil matters, especially commercial cases”.
Earlier, in his address, the former attorney-general and Minister of Justice, Chief Bayo Ojo, SAN described Ali Ahmad as a proud emblem of his generation and a huge inspiration to those coming behind through his awesome professional competence and intellect.
Ojo, who is the Chairman of the occasion added that the lawmaker’s private and public life which is endearingly garnished with ethical discipline, nobility, the virtue of piety and humility are a rarity in the society today.
