Many Nigerians, espe-
cially those from the
South-West, are find-
ing it difficult to come
to terms with the latest development
on Amotekun, the Leopard.
Even before firing its first shot
in anger or self defence against
any marauder, the Western Nige-
ria Security Network, Amotekun,
launched last week was declared
illegal by the Nigerian government.
The office of the Attorney-General
of the Federation said in a statement
yesterday that security remains the
exclusive preserve of the Federal
Government and the setting up
Amotekun, which it said was a par-
amilitary organisation, ran contrary
to the provisions of Nigerian law.
According to the statement, “The
Constitution of the Federal Republic
of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) has
established the army, navy and air
force, including the police and other
numerous paramilitary organisa-
tions 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 organisation or agency for
the defence of Nigeria or any of its
constituent parts”.
The statement referred to Item
45 of the Second Schedule of the
Constitution of the Federal Republic
of Nigeria (as amended), author-
ising the police and other Federal
Government security services
established by law to maintain law
and order.
There are several arguments for
and against this declaration of
Amotekun as an illegal organisation,
with many of the analysts crying
blue murder over what they see as
double standard in reference to the
declaration.
Some cited similar groups like
the Nigeria Civil Defence Corps
and Civilian JTF in the North-East
and the Hisbah in Kano which they
insist were not established by the
Constitution but are operating in
those areas even alongside formal
military and police task forces.
Some legal experts also say At-
torney-General Abubakar Malami,
even though he is the chief law
officer of the Federation, has no
power to declare as illegal, an agen-
cy set up by State Governors. Such
lawyers say it is only the court that
can interpret the Constitution and
make such a declaration.
It is quite strange that with all the
fanfare and publicity that preceded
the launch of Amotekun, the pro-
moting State Governors did not seek
proper advice and sort out issues
before going public and purchasing
all the vehicles and other equipment
as well as recruiting staff for the
project.
Instead, we now have a huge num-
ber of South Westerners who feel
deflated like a balloon whose bubble
has burst, because they had jubilated
too early that the solution to their
security problems had come at last!
Even citizens from the South-
East, South-South and Middle-Belt
who had quickly commended the
Amotekun initiative and planned to
follow suit with similar agencies in
their zones now have to do a rethink
and re-strategise on the way to go.
But one thing is sure – the last has
not been heard of Amotekun, the
Leopard!
Epa Ogie Eboigbe, veteran
journalist, broadcaster and public
affairs specialist writes on, and
analyses current and historical
issues with a ‘wise pen’.
