Subsidy Removal Resulted in More Funds for FG and States to Misuse — Akpomudje, SAN
Olorogun Albert Akpomudje, SAN, a Life Bencher and Prime Minister (Otota) of Ancient Olomu Kingdom in Delta State, shared his views on various national issues in a recent interview. He discussed topics such as the impact of federal government policies on the economy, corruption in the judiciary, the appointment of Supreme Court justices, the proposal for state police, and the implementation of the Orosanya report.
Regarding the recent court approval for the registration of a new lawyers’ association by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Akpomudje expressed concern about the potential division it might cause within the legal profession. He emphasized the importance of unity among lawyers, stating that a divided Bar could weaken its influence and effectiveness.
On the issue of corruption in the judiciary, Akpomudje acknowledged its existence, noting that the judiciary, like other sectors in Nigeria, is not immune to corruption. He highlighted the need for a more transparent and merit-based process for appointing judicial officers, suggesting that members of the Bar should have a more prominent role in the selection process.
Regarding the proposal for state police, Akpomudje acknowledged the potential benefits of decentralizing the police force but expressed concerns about possible misuse by politicians. He suggested that measures should be put in place to prevent state governors from using state police to intimidate political opponents.
Assessing President Bola Tinubu’s administration policies, particularly on economic and insecurity challenges, Akpomudje emphasized the importance of results. He criticized the government for not showing significant improvements in areas such as electricity supply despite the implementation of various policies. He also criticized the use of surplus funds from subsidy removal, suggesting that the money has been misused rather than used for development.
Regarding the Supreme Court, Akpomudje welcomed the full complement of 21 Justices, noting that it would help reduce the backlog of cases and improve the efficiency of the court. He expressed hope that with more Justices, cases would be heard and resolved more expeditiously.
Finally, on the implementation of the Oronsaye Report, Akpomudje noted that while the report was prepared over 10 years ago, its implementation could still be beneficial. However, he suggested that the government should review the report to ensure its relevance to current realities and address any shortcomings in the original recommendations.
