The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami says the ban on open grazing of cattle by governors from the southern part of Nigeria violates the constitutionally guaranteed right to freedom of movement.
Malami, who spoke while featuring on Politics Today on Channels Television, argued that the ban on open grazing of cattle by herders “does not hold water” within the context of human rights as enshrined in the constitution.
“It is about constitutionality within the context of the freedoms expressed in our constitution. Can you deny the rights of a Nigerian?” he queried.
“For example: it is as good as saying, perhaps, maybe, the northern governors coming together to say they prohibit spare parts trading in the north.
“Does it hold water? Does it hold water for a northern governor to come and state expressly that he now prohibits spare parts trading in the north?”
According to him, those seeking to ban open grazing should first, facilitate the amendment of the Constitution to that effect.
“If you are talking of constitutionally guaranteed rights, the better approach to it is to perhaps go back to ensure the constitution is amended,” he said.
“Freedom and liberty of movement among others established by the constitution, if by an inch you want to have any compromise over it, the better approach is go back to the national assembly to say open grazing should be prohibited and see whether you can have the desired support for the constitutional amendment.
“It is a dangerous provision for any governor in Nigeria to think he can bring any compromise on the freedom and liberty of individuals to move around,” Malami said.
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