By Charles Kumolu

CHAIRMAN League of Patriotic Lawyers, LPL, Abubakar Yesufu in this interview says that everything must be done the judiciary to be truly independent in this dispensation. Yesufu, who was one of the 22 lawyers Chief Gani Fawehinmi led to defend the late M.K.O ABIOLA in the famous case of Supreme Court Judges vs Concord Press also spoke on other issues.

The League of Patriotic Lawyers was in the forefront for the campaign for change, a mantra that earned President Muhammadu Buhari his mandate. Are you satisfied with the way the administration is taking off?

President Buhari is on course, but we still expect a more proactive approach on the issue of terrorism, corruption, fuel problem among other issues. Nigerians are a bit impatient. I think this is understandable after the enthusiasm that followed his election. But we still need to be patient and hopeful. We at the League of Patriotic Lawyers will hold him accountable for every details in his manifesto.

We urge Nigerians to just relax. The economy is in dire straits. Buhari needs surgical operation in the economic sphere if we must kick start this economy. What we are concerned about is the signal Buhari is giving to us. If what the signal means is that he will not revisit corrupt practices of the past, I think there should be a rethink. He ran as anti-corruption man and a man of integrity.

It was on that basis that we campaigned for him. There is no way he can carry out his programmes without correcting the mistakes of yesterdays. We are not talking about the punitive aspect of fighting corruption; we are talking of recovery and discontinuity of corrupt practices.

Amnesty International recently indicted top members of the military for alleged human rights violation. Do you really think the report reflects the true state of the war on terror in Nigeria?

This is a war we must fight and win. It is also wrong for Amnesty International to indict our military for fighting Boko Haram insurgents. This is unfair. Our Generals, retired or serving are doing a good job. The league would not permit anything that will dampen our enthusiasm. I commend President Buhari’s bid to form a rainbow coalition at the sub region, continental and global level. A hydra-headed problem like Boko Haram needs a broad based coalition or allies to defeat.

Recently, you were sighted with Buruji Kashamu’s lawyer during attempt to extradite Kashamu. Did you appear in his defence?

I was in Justice Abang’s Court as a friend of the court (Amicus Curiae) in defence of the rule of law. The league was jolted at the attempt to muzzle the rule of law. Six days in the house of a Nigerian, despite restraining order by the court is shameful. Our criminal justice has no place for “House arrest.” It is illegal and wrongful. Thus Kashamus house arrest for six days is wrongful. That attempted extradition was done at the behest of the Americans.

We advised Kashamu’s lawyer to initiate criminal proceedings against the security operatives for contempt. The extradition bid failed in the United Kingdom, it has not been appealed. I don’t want to believe that the Americans are in a voyage of discovery of a pliable legal system. They seem to have found one in ours.

We condemn that six days siege at Kashamus house and commend the trial judges Justice Abang (a victim of serial unwarranted attack by unscrupulous elements in recent times). We shall no longer tolerate our judiciary being intimidated by anybody. We are now poised to fight for the independence of the judiciary. Only one method abound where you can seek redress after a ruling or judgment, that is by appealing. Not petition or frivolous innuendos.

But the Attorney General of the Federation recently said that the UK government did not exonerate Kashamu?

That is being economical with the truth. The man spent four years in the UK fighting his extradition; the option that is viable and consistent with legal practice is for them to appeal that extradition bid that failed. Who soever that is interested can appeal. It could be the Americans, federal government or the UK government.

One would have thought that the case in London where he was left off the hook would be appealed. It is the UK that can say that they have enough evidence that Kashamu is extraditable. The UK has even said that they are not looking for this man as far as they are concerned.

What is your take on the emergence of Bukola Saraki and Ahmed Dogari as president and speaker of the House of Representatives?

The emergence of Saraki as President of Senate and Dogara as the Speaker of the House of Representatives is indeed democracy in action. We cannot afford to have any form of distraction in this our bid or quest for change. We call on all right thinking Nigerian to rally round the new leadership to enable them deliver the dividends of democracy.

By Buharis election and successful transition, we have disappointed critics that a peaceful transition is indeed possible. Let us sit down for serious business. There should be no victor no vanquish for the new house leadership. I trust on the wisdom of Saraki and Dogara to heal the wounds that may arise from the election of the house leadership.