The first Minister of Justice was Taslim Olawale Elias (renowned jurist) while the present Attorney General of the Federal and Minister of Justice is Lateef Fagbemi.
Since 1960 till date, Nigeria has produced 24 Ministers of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation. The minister is in charge of prosecuting crimes against the State and defending civil cases on behalf of the Federal Government.
The Ministry of Justice has agencies and departments that are coordinated by the minister.
Nigeria’s Justice Minister from 1960 to date
Below is a list of present and past ministers who were appointed by either an executive president of military head of state from 1960 till date.
Abubakar Malami
November 11, 2015 to May 29, 2023
Mohammed Bello Adoke
July 2, 2011 to May 2015
Mohammed Bello Adoke
April 6, 2010 to May 29, 2011
Adetokunbo Kayode
Feb 10, 2010 to March 17, 2010
Michael Aondoakaa
July 26, 2007 to Feb 10, 2010
Bayo Ojo
July 2005 to July 2007
Akin Olujimi
July 2003 to July 2005
Kanu Godwin Agabi
2002 to 2003
Bola Ige
January 3, 2000, to December 23, 2001
Kanu Godwin Agabi
June 1999 to January 2000
Achiji Abdullahi Ibrahim
1997 to May 1999
Michael Ashikodi Agbamuche
1994 to 1997
Olu Onagoruwa
1993 to 1994
Clement Akpamgbo
1991 to 1993
Bola Ajibola
Sept 12, 1985, to Dec 4, 1991
Chike Ofodile
1984 to Aug. 1985
Kehinde Sofola
Oct 1983 to Dec. 1983
Richard Akinjide
1979 to 1983
Augustine Nnamani
1975 to 1979
Dan Onuorah Ibekwe
1972 to 1975
Nabo Graham-Douglas
1966 to 1972
GIM Onyiuke
March 1, 1966 to July 29, 1966
Taslim Olawale Elias
1960 to 1966
No female has ever been Nigeria’s Justice Minister
From the list above, no woman has ever been appointed as the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice since Nigeria’s independence in 1960.
One day, we hope a woman will break this jinx just as Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala did as the first female Minister of Finance in Nigeria during the administration of Olusegun Obasanjo.
Conclusion:
The Ministry of Justice isn’t only saddled with the responsibility of defending civil cases on behalf of the Federal Government, he also upholds the principle of law.
Unfortunately, most of those who occupied the position during the military regime found themselves in a difficult position because all the military regimes in Nigeria violated fundamental human rights and no justice was done.
Who is Nigeria’s first Minister of Justice?
He would later become a judge and president of the International Court of Justice at The Hague
What is Michael Aondoakaa famous for as Nigeria’s former Minister of Justice?
Who is Nigeria’s longest Minister of Justice?
Mr Malami assumed office as Nigeria’s Justice Minister on November 11, 2015. After the first term of President Muhammadu Buhari, he was reappointed on August 21, 2019.