By Onoriode Etatsemi
ASABA/Nigeria: The Body of Attorneys-General of the States of the Federation (BOAGS) has reaffirmed its commitment to take immediate steps towards ensuring that the Administration of Civil Justice Law and procedures are strengthened and made more efficient as well reformed for the purpose of speedy dispensation of justice.
BOAGS stated this in a communique issued at the end of its second meeting held in Asaba and signed by the Chairman of the body , Mr. Moyosoro Onigbanjo who is the Attorney- General of Lagos State and the Secretary, Dr. Abdulkarim A. Kana, Attorney-General of Nassarawa State.
They said that the primary focus of the body was to provide a forum for Chief Law Officers of the federating states to cultivate knowledgeable, cooperate on concerns and coordinate actions to ensure obedience to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The body noted that advice was vital in assisting the interplay between the federal, states and local governments for the overall benefits of Nigerians, adding that the body instituted legacy and relevance through the formal registration of BOAGS at the Corporate Affairs Commission, establishing, staffing and equipping a permanent secretariat for the body and ensuring financial sustenance of BOAGS through the payment of annual dues.
BOAGS further reiterated its position regarding the constitutional powers of the federating states to establish Anti Corruption bodies and commended the efforts made by some states to establish State Anti Corruption Commission even as it urged other States to follow suit .
In the communique, the body commended the National Assembly for the recent round of proposed constitutional amendments especially the devolution of powers from the federal to the states.
Similarly, it said that it had observed the Federal Government was not correct in the distribution of funds derived from the Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMT Levy ) to the federal, states and local governments.
