The Coalition of Geopolitical Youth Associations of Nigeria and Civil Society Organisations have expresses their profound outrage, disappointment and categorical rejection of “unjust criminalisation of a matter fundamentally civil in nature” involving one of Nigeria’s foremost legal minds, Professor Mike Ozekhome, SAN.
The CSOs comprise youth leaders drawn from the six geo-political zones, including but not limited to the Northern Youth Council of Nigeria, Oodua Youth Parliament, Concerned Ndibo Youth Movement, North Central Youths Assembly of Nigeria, Nigeria Youth Advocacy for good governance and allied civil society organisations.
In a statement jointly issued by the to groups, they said they are “deeply concerned by the actions of the Hon Attorney General of the Federation using the instrumentality of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in pursuing a criminal prosecution over a property gift transaction reportedly intended for registration in London, an issue that, by every reasonable legal standard, falls within the realm of civil dispute resolution.”
According to them, “The transformation of such a matter into a criminal prosecution raises serious questions about proportionality, fairness, and adherence to due process. It sends a troubling signal to Nigerians and the international community that legal interpretation may be stretched beyond reason in matters that require civil adjudication, not criminal sanction,especially as the UK adjudicatory tribunal found Prof Ozekhome blameless in it’s judgment.
“Professor Mike Ozekhome is not just a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN); he is a towering symbol of Nigeria’s democratic struggle and evolution. For decades, he has stood fearlessly against military dictatorship, constitutional infractions, executive recklessness, and human rights violations.
“His sacrifices both personal and professional have helped shape Nigeria’s legal and democratic jurisprudence and strengthened the rule of law.
“It is therefore most painful and highly unacceptable that a man whose legacy is intertwined with Nigeria’s democratic struggles could be subjected to what appears to be a needless and avoidable prosecution, particularly after an earlier case on the same subject matter had been withdrawn by the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice in a competent court of law.
“On behalf of Nigerian youths and civil society organisations nationwide, we acknowledge the intervention of the Hon Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi, SAN, for assuming later oversight of the matter.
“We had recognized this as a step towards restoring institutional balance and reaffirming constitutional authority within the prosecutorial framework under the leadership of His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
“However, we firmly state that oversight alone is not enough. We,as well as most Nigerians, had expected him to terminate the proceedings that appear targeted at him alone since none of the other lawyers mentioned in the case has been arraigned.”
The groups demanded the following: “Immediate and Unconditional Withdrawal of the Charges; call upon the Honourable Attorney-General to exercise his constitutional powers under Section 174 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to discontinue this needless prosecution forthwith. Justice delayed in this context is justice denied.
“Prosecutorial powers must never be used in a manner that blurs the line between civil and criminal jurisprudence. We demand a clear reaffirmation of this distinction to prevent future abuse.
“Investigative and prosecuting agencies, including the EFCC and ICPC that had initially rushed to court and given the case wide publicity, must operate strictly within the bounds of the law and avoid sensational actions that may erode public trust and confidence in anti-corruption efforts.
“The continued prosecution of a respected Senior Advocate of Nigeria over a matter widely perceived as civil risks undermining confidence in Nigeria’s justice system and diminishing the standing of the legal profession.
“Nigeria’s global image must not be compromised by prosecutorial decisions that appear excessive or legally questionable, particularly when they involve individuals of international legal repute.
“Nigerian youths demand a justice system that is impartial, principled, and immune from perceptions of intimidation or selective application of the law.
“Let it be clearly stated : our call is not for immunity from the law.
“No Nigerian is above the law. However, the law itself must not be stretched beyond logic or fairness ot targeted at specific critical individuals in pursuit of outcomes that could have been resolved through civil mechanisms.
“Justice must never be weaponised. Justice must never be selective. Justice must never be perceived as retaliatory. Justice must never been seen as persecutory.
“We therefore urge the Honourable Attorney-General to act decisively and courageously in defence of constitutionalism, fairness and national interest by discontinuing these charges in their entirely.
“Nigeria’s democracy was built on sacrifices made by Nigerians amongst whom Ozekhome’s name resonates clearly. It must not be weakened by prosecutorial excesses of retaliatory measures. Justice must not only be done; it must be seen to be done.”
The joint statement was signed by Amb. Olasunkanmi Kolawole, Convener & President, North Central Youths Assembly of Nigeria; Dr. Isah Abubakar; Co-Convener & President, Northern Youth Council of Nigeria; Comrade Tochukwu Okoye, President, Concerned Ndibo Youth Movement of Nigeria; Activist Olamilekan Oladimeji, President Odu’a Youth Parliament,Malam Lukman Lawal, National Coordinator, Youth Alliance for National Transformation and Comrade. Alabi Akeem Abiodun, National Coordinator, Nigeria Youth Advocacy for good governance