Anti-terrorism Law: AGF urges NASS to speed up amendment

October 31, 2012 16:27

NAN-H-57

Amendment

Abuja, Oct. 31, 2012 (NAN) The Minster of Justice, Mohammed Adoke, on Wednesday in Abuja urged the National Assembly (NASS) to speed up the amendment of the Anti-Terrorism Law pending before it.

Adoke, who is also the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), said this in an address he delivered at the valedictory court session held in hounour of Retired Supreme Court Justice, Olufunlola Adekeye.

He said that the speedy conclusion of work on the law would reposition the judiciary in the fight against terrorism.

He said that the weakness of the former law necessitated the ongoing amendment, saying, ``justice can only be done to terrorists and their financiers if penalties commensurate with the offences.''

On the contributions of Adekeye to the country’s jurisprudence, Adoke said that the retired justice had shown that the Supreme Court bar was not meant for male justices alone.

He explained that the country had benefited from Adekeye’s decisions ``and she will truly be missed''.

Mrs Mariam Aloma, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) in her speech, said that Adekeye was an epitome of justice, whose decisions could hardly be faulted.

In his speech, Chief Okey Wali, the President of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), said ``Adekeye had a remarkable career as one of the brightest stars in the nation’s judicial firmament.

``Her humility and modesty could not keep her from rising to the highest court in the land.

``Her equability of demeanour and poise of character, her Solomonic wisdom and intellectual acumen, propelled her to this honourable temple where we now stand to honour her,’’ he said.

In her comments, Adekeye expressed gratitude to the honour shown her, adding: ``My efforts amount to naught without the presence of God.’’

``Nothing will gladden my heart more than seeing an increase in the number of women conferred with the rank of senior advocate of Nigeria in the annual exercise.

``I can vouch that the women in the profession are sincerely up to the task and they can always excel in their endeavours.''

Adekeye retired as a Supreme Court justice after clocking the compulsory retirement age of 70. (NAN)

OMO/HA/GY

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