It has been reported that Mr Femi Falana (SAN), a human rights activist lawyer has stated that the Federal Government’s decision to support herders who are planning on challenging the anti-grazing law in court is not only unconstitutional but political suicide.
He reportedly disclosed this in a statement on Monday while reacting to a report from the Special Assistant (Media) to the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Dr Umar Gwandu, that the Federal Government supports moves by herders to sue Southern Governors over the anti-open grazing bills they recently signed into law in their respective states.
According to Falana, this move is, “constitutional aberration and political suicide”.
The activist made it known “Specifically, it is a gross violation of Section 17 of the constitution which provides that the Nigerian people are entitled to equal rights and opportunities before the law and Section 42 thereof which has prohibited the Federal Government from conferring advantage on any group of citizens.”
He added, “Accordingly, the resources of the entire Nigerian people cannot be dissipated on defending herders against State governments.”
He disclosed “In defending the herders in the case the Federal Government will certainly run into serious contradictions having made available the sum of N6.2bn to Katsina for ranching, the Federal Government will not be permitted to turn round to embrace open grazing. The court will not allow the Federal Government to approbate and reprobate at the same time.”
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