By Oboh Linus, Lafia
Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has extolled Dr Shuaibu Magaji’s academic and professional achievements.
Sule gave this commendation at a Public Presentation of a book entitled ‘Enforcement of Anti-Terrorism Laws and Protection of Human Rights in Nigeria’ launched in Abuja.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the event was organised to celebrate professional and academic milestones in honour of the Secretary to the Government of Nasarawa State, Dr Shuaibu Magaji, for his elevation to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).
Others are the completion of a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Degree and the Public Presentation of his book entitled Enforcement of Anti-Terrorism Laws and Protection of Human Rights in Nigeria.
Sule, while congratulating Magaji, said that Nasarawa State has made no mistake by appointing him as the Chief Scribe of the state.
Gov Sule, represented by his Deputy Dr Emmanuel Akabe, attributed the achievements of Magaji to hard work and dedication to what he believes, noting that he was proud of these triple milestones.
He described Magaji as a reliable, dependable, and committed SSG who discharged his duty diligently, noting that he was not surprised that he achieved so much in such a short time.
” I listened to all the encomiums pouring on our SSG I’m proud to hear such beautiful speeches about him. It shows that we made the right choice of an SSG.
“All that has been said about Magaji is true. Sometimes, I wonder if he ever sleeps because first in the morning, he is there, and last in the night, he is also there. He works around the clock,” he said.
Prof. Yemi Akinseye-George, SAN, Executive Director, Centre For Socio-Legal Studies, Book Reviewer, described the book as a groundbreaking work, a timely and much-needed intervention for one of the most pressing challenges confronting Nigeria: security and justice.
“Enforcement of Anti-Terrorism laws in Nigeria is a clarion call to action, Dr Magaji challenges us to reflect on the balance between liberty and security, to demand accountability from our institutions and to work toward a justice system that protects both the state and the citizens,” noted.
Speaking, Shuaibu Magaji, SAN said his motivation to research on the topic Enforcement of Anti-Terrorism Laws and Protection of Human Rights in Nigeria stemmed from his experience as a Federal Prosecutor investigating complex cases of terrorism by Boko haram.
Dr Magaji said that the content of his book was not in any way intended to undermine anybody or institution but to contribute to knowledge and proffer certain solutions to the fight against terrorism.
“So balancing between fighting terrorism and human rights is one of the Herculean tasks anywhere, assuming without conceding somebody came here with an improvised explosive device and wanted to detonate it, and he was caught.
“We will have no other option than to make sure he is killed, but the law requires that even at that, he is still a suspect, and must be able to pass through the procedure of being prosecuted so that if he is found wanting, he could go to Jail,’ he said.
In a goodwill message, Emir of Lafia, Justice Sidi Bage, Rtd, congratulated Magaji for achieving professional and academic milestones through hard work and dedication, noting that the state was proud of him and his achievements.
Earlier speaking, Abubakar Malami, former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Chairman of the occasion, described Magaji as an embodiment of excellence, saying that the book would provide the necessary guide for the prosecution of terrorist acts in Nigeria. (NAN)