A bill seeking to establish an independent office for the Plateau State Attorney General has received the backing of critical stakeholders in the sector at a public hearing on Wednesday.
The public hearing which was held at the Victoria Gowon Hall, New Government House Rayfield Jos had in attendance stakeholders from the legal profession and other sectors.
In a welcome address at the public hearing, Chairman of the Plateau State House of Assembly’s standing committee on Judiciary, Ethics and Privileges, Hon. Kalamu Dal, said the committee has done what is expected of them on the bill and urged the stakeholders to give sincere contributions on the bill.
He reminded them that the bill seek to establish the office of the Attorney General to be independent and completely different from the office of the Commissioner for Justice of Plateau State.
Hon. Dal said they have done their part as a committee and are now at the second phase which is consultation with relevant stakeholders that have to do with the idea of the bill.
He said, ” two things are bound from your responsibility in this gathering, one is to give us your honest and sincere view about the critical and relevant nature of this office and the clear position of this office in the eyes of law.”
While giving the rationale behind the bill, the Plateau State Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General of the state, Barr. Philemon Daffi said the bill seeks to among other things fill in the constitutional gab that exists in the office.
He noted that the bill if passed into law will promote good governance, enhance accountability and improve the delivery of legal services. Adding that it will also contribute to economic growth, job creation and social justice.
The Commissioner said the bill is not only a vital piece of legislation for the justice system, but also an essential catalyst for broader socio-economy development. He noted that some of the innovations in the bill are the ministry of justice academy, centralize legal services, specialist departments among others.
Barr. Daffi emphasized that if the bill is passed into law, Plateau State will position itself as a leader in legal excellence. He said the bill is for the best interest of the citizens and the government.
He urged the Plateau State House of Assembly who are the representative of the constituents to pass the bill.
Also speaking, the former Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General of the state, who is now the Chairperson, Plateau State Gender and Equal Opportunity Commission, Barr. Olivia Dazem said the bill is timely and will give more power to the Attorney General to give in the best in handling responsibilities of the office.
She made some professional observation and promised to give in their input before the final drafting of the bill.
Other stakeholders who spoke at the public hearing were the state Head of Service, who was represented by Permanent Secretary, General Administration, Mr. Nyam Musa, Human Right Commission, Nigeria Bar Association, NBA Jos, Bukuru and Pankshin branches among others who all supported the bill for the establishment of the office.
The bill if it sees the light of the day, will separate office of the Attorney General from the office of the Commissioner for Justice in Plateau State and Plateau State will be the first in Northern Nigeria to succeed in achieving the feet.
Chairman of the Plateau State House of Assembly standing committee on Judiciary, Ethics and Privileges, Hon. Kalamu Idris Dal, was supported at the public hearing by Deputy Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Daniel Nanbol Listick and a member of the Committee, Hon. Matthew Kwarpo Sylvanus.