Why El-Zakzaky, Dasuki, others are still in custody despite court orders – Malami

A minister nominee and immediate past Attorney General of the Federal (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, on Friday explained why he was not able to ensure that some Nigerians who were granted bail by court are still languishing in prison custody.

A former National Security Adviser (NSA) Sambo Dasuki, had obtained different court rulings ordering for his release. A leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, also got a court order for his release, but none of them were honoured by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration.

Malami, whose former office, has the responsibility to ensure that the rights of Nigerians are never infringed upon, however said he had to “disobey court orders in public interest.”

He had cited the Supreme Court ruling in the matter between a former militant leader, Asari Dokubo and the Federal Government, where the apex court held that national interest supersedes individual rights.

Malami stated this while responding to questions by the Minority Leader of the Senate, Enyinnaya Abaribe, who had asked him to explain why he was unable to guarantee the rights of Nigerians who have been granted bail but are still in custody.

The former AGF had appeared before the Senate at the ongoing screening of ministerial nominees, which President Muhammadu Buhari sent to the lawmakers on Tuesday.

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Also responding to why Buhari rejected the PIGB bill, Malami said that it was rejected because “oil-producing host communities were compromised and self-serving sections were being brought into the bill.”

There are strong insinuations that Buhari may reappoint Malami AGF in his second term cabinet.

On what should be expected from him should Buhari ask him to retain the post of AGF, he assured the lawmakers that he would work to strengthen the relationship between the executive and the legislature.

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