*They are joking – Afenifere
*We will reply FG on declaration – Fayemi
A security outfit recently inaugurated by South-West states of Nigeria, known as ‘Amotekun’, has been declared as illegal.
The declaration came alive by Federal Government when it said on Tuesday that the paramilitary outfit is not backed by any known law in the land.
The Attorney General of the Federation made the feeling of the government known in a press statement statement.
In the statement signed by the Special Assistant on Media and Public Relations to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Dr. Umar Gwandu, the government said the issue of defence and security fell under the exclusive list and not with the state.
The statement reads in part: “The setting up of the paramilitary organization called “Amotekun” is illegal and runs contrary to the provisions of the Nigerian law. The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) has established the Army, Navy and Airforce, including the Police and other numerous paramilitary organisations for the purpose of the defence of Nigeria.
“As a consequence of this, no State Government, whether singly or in a group has the legal right and competence to establish any form of organization or agency for the defence of Nigeria or any of its constituent parts. This is sanctioned by the provision of Item 45 of the Second Schedule of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) authorizing the Police and other Federal Government security services established by law to maintain law and order.
“The law will take its natural course in relation to excesses associated with organization, administration and participation in “Amotekun” or continuous association with it as an association.
“Finally, it is important to put on record that the Office of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice was not consulted on the matter. If it had, proper information and guidance would have been offered to ensure that Nigeria’s defence and corporate entity are preserved at all times.”
On its part, the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has described the Federal Government’s announcement of southwest security outfit, Amotekun, as a joke taken too far.
This is just as it called on the South-West governors to ignore the Attorney General of the Federation.
Afenifere’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr Yinka Odumakin said: “They are joking. Now they have exposed themselves that they are the ones supporting insecurity in the south-west because if they don’t support insecurity in the south-west, they will not take this action.
“All that they are telling us is that they will leave us vulnerable. They have not declared Miyetti Allah illegal or the herdsmen carrying AK 47 around the country. It is the security put together by our governors that they are now declaring illegal. On what basis are they declaring it illegal? So, they are carrying it too far.
“The first question Afenifere wants to ask Malami is that: Is Malami a court of law to declare action taken by federating units illegal? What power is he exercising? We are calling on our governors to ignore him totally. If he has anything against what they have done, let him go to court and they meet him in court.”
In the meantime, The South West governors, spoken for by Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi, have promised to respond to the Federal Government on the matter.
