The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN) has refused to grant an Abuja-based lawyer and rights’ activist, Mr. Frank Tietie the fiat to prosecute a pastor who allegedly defiled a 14-year old girl.
The AGF, in a letter dated August 14, 2013 and signed by a senior state counsel, Mrs. A. Adewumi did not give any reason for the denial
of the lawyer’s request.
The three paragraphs letter reads: “I am directed to refer to your letter dated 3rd July, 2013 on the above subject matter. I am further directed to inform you that your application for fiat has been declined by the AGF and minister of Justice. Accept the assurances of the warm regards of the AGF and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN)”.
The said pastor, Apostle Basil Princewill, was alleged to have had several unlawful carnal knowledge of two under-aged girls in his church office, impregnated one of the girls, procured an abortion of the pregnancy by him, and threatened the girl with death if she disclosed the truth, and parades himself as a lawyer.
The Police charged Apostle Princewill to a Chief Magistrate Court, Karu-Abuja for criminal conspiracy, false personation, criminal intimidation, criminal force and assault.
This will not be the first time the office of the AGF would decline an application for fiat in respect to Child Rights relate cases.
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