Keyamo’s constitutional puzzle or confusion! Minister of State: ignorantia legis neminem excusat
Ministers or Ministers of State are selected on State-by-State basis to reward Loyalty for political work, represent their States in Cabinet in the Government of the Federation.
The Minister of State for Labour, Mr. Festus Keyamo SAN after serving out his term, mildly, impliedly, chided President Buhari at the valedictory session for appointing him as “Minister of State” because in his respectful view the word is a Constitutional aberration. I agree, there is no classification in the Nigerian Constitution 1999 for the “Minister of State”. It’s simply “Minister”. Therefore all ‘Ministers of State’ including Keyamo SAN super scribe to the Constitutional puzzle or confusion, wittingly or unwittingly took up unlawful appointments voided by virtue of section 147 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999. Keyamo SAN said despite the Government office he held for four years, being unconstitutional, it looks good on his C. V for which he is ingratiated.
What to say? Congratulations Silk for Sitting as Minister of State albeit ultra-vires the Constitution.
Respectfully submitted,
Carol Ajie, LL. M Georgetown
Constitutional & Human Rights Law
Professor Scholar Juris.