My Success Depends on Your Support, Prayers, Fagbemi Tells Class of 85

•Says judiciary critical in fight against corruption

Alex Enumah in Abuja

Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, has called on lawyers in the country, especially members of the Nigerian Law School Class of 1985, to support him to succeed in his new task.

Fagbemi, a renowned legal luminary, who was recently appointed by President Bola Tinubu to man the justice sector, described the judiciary as critical in the fight against corruption.

Speaking at the Annual Reunion and Award of the Class of ’85’ of the Nigerian Law School, the AGF solicited the support and advice of members of the class in the discharge of his duties.

Fagbemi was the pioneer member of the class to be conferred with the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in 1996, 11 years after his call to the Bar.

The AGF, who was one of the awardees, told his colleagues that they had a lot of work to do in the war against corruption, reform of legal education, and in administration of justice, generally.

He said, “On my new appointment, I want to solicit your support, prayers and advice in ensuring that we succeed in the task ahead. The tasks are by no means easy.”

Fagbemi assured his former classmates that as an ambassador in the Tinubu administration, he would not let the class or the nation down.

He disclosed plans for the Nigerian Law School, and acknowledged the feat being recorded by the class in the judiciary and other endeavours, saying they are worth celebrating.

Fagbemi stated, “I can see that quite a few of them are heads of different courts in Nigeria. I believe the honour is well deserving as a testimonial that the awardees are worthy ambassadors of this class.

“I happily rejoice with all the awardees and urge them to keep up their good works that had earned them this honour.”

On the ongoing project of the group, establishment of a medical centre at Lagos Campus of the Nigerian Law School, Fagbemi said in spite of the challenges in the take-off of the project, it must go on.

He said all hands must be on deck towards the execution and delivery of the project, stressing, “I will continue to do my utmost best in assisting toward the early completion of that project.”

Life Chairman of the association, Emeka Ngige (SAN), said members had fared reasonably well.

Ngige stated, “We have celebrated numerous appointments, elevations and other achievements by members of this great class. I am happy to note that within the year under review, four of our class members were appointed as heads of courts in Ondo, Oyo, Benue and Kaduna states.

“We also witnessed the appointment of one us as Secretary to the Government of Lagos State. The climax is now the appointment of our leader, Prince Fagbemi, as Nigeria’s 24th Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.”