"Banning open grazing is like banning sale of spare parts" — Attorney-General

Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami has said that banning of open grazing in the Southern region of the country is same thing as prohibition of spare parts trading in the North.

Malami made the claim in an interview on Channels Television on Wednesday May 19. The AGF insisted that the ban of open grazing and movement of cattle by foot by Southern governors after a meeting in Asaba, does not align with the provisions of the constitution.

He said;

“It is about constitutionality within the context of the freedoms expressed in our constitution. Can you deny the rights of a Nigerian?

“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?”

Malami also told Southern Governors to facilitate the amendment of the 1999 constitution to prohibit open grazing.

He added;

“If you are talking of constitutionally guaranteed rights, the better approach to it is to perhaps go back to ensure the constitution is amended.

“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.”