ABUJA – In a shocking revelation, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, has accused Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, of indirectly orchestrating militant attacks on oil pipelines amid the ongoing political turmoil in the state.
Speaking on Wednesday, Fagbemi justified President Bola Tinubu’s controversial declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers, citing the need to protect critical national infrastructure.
According to him, Fubara’s alleged failure to disown the militants after reportedly signaling them to take action raises serious concerns about his involvement.
“There were clear indications that the governor tele-guided the militants. He hinted that he would let them know when to act, and a week later, pipelines were vandalized. If he wasn’t responsible, why didn’t he disown them?” Fagbemi questioned.
He emphasized that Nigeria’s economy is heavily reliant on oil, and any attack on pipelines is not just a crime against Rivers State but against the entire nation.
The AGF further argued that Tinubu’s decision to suspend both Governor Fubara and the State House of Assembly was necessary to restore stability, insisting that their failure to maintain governance warranted drastic measures.
Responding to criticisms that the president acted hastily, Fagbemi pushed back, stating, “People were living in fear; some were dying. Extraordinary situations require extraordinary actions.”
He also dismissed comparisons to past Supreme Court rulings on emergency declarations, asserting that the circumstances in Rivers were unique.
With the fate of Rivers now in the hands of the National Assembly, Fagbemi warned that other states should take note, signaling that the federal government is ready to enforce stricter measures if necessary.
