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Tag: amotekun

  • Amotekun: South West Governors need not consult FG – Falana, Agbakoba

    Former President, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Dr Olisa Agbakoba (SAN) and activist Lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN) have said that the governors of the south west Nigeria have done no wrong with the formation of Amotekun corps.

    They said they do not have to consult with the Attorney General of the Federation before taking security measures to protect their States.

    They spoke on Wednesday at the 16th Chief Gani Fawehinmi (SAN) Annual Lecture/ Symposium (Fawehinmiism) organized by Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Ikeja Branch and held at Oranmiyan Hall, Airport Hotel, Ikeja.

    Agbakoba, who was a guest lecturer at the event, said no one has the power to overrun the constitution.

    He added: “what they are doing is not policing but security measures.

    “The Inspector-General of Police was involved when they started but I don’t know what happened and he backed out. Maybe they had a re-think”.

    Agbakoba said the constitution being operated in the country gave the governors wide and enormous powers which he noted they have not exhausted.

    According to him, there is enough space in the constitution for everybody to advance.

    “We all need to have the Gani spirit. Maybe, the association of Attorney Generals would need to go to court on the matter to determine who is wrong”, he said.

    The former NBA President remarked that the way restructuring of the country was been canvassed was wrong and that was why no progress has been made.

    ” We need to lower the temperature of the language. “We need to convince our Northern brothers that restructuring will not break Nigeria but that it will benefit everybody, that it will make the regions more powerful and independent”.

    He urged Nigerians to jettison restructuring and advocated cooperative federalism in its place.

    Falana said what the governors are doing is not more than protecting and securing their people in line with the constitution.

    He remarked that the only prohibition against any group in section 22 of the constitution which said nobody shall set up a military wing.

    He remarked that restructuring is no longer a southern affair even as he expressed regret that the All Progressives Congress (APC) which had it in its manifesto and once set up a committee look into it is no longer committed to it.

    Tayo Oyetibo (SAN) who spoke on the topic ” Is Judiciary Under Siege by the Executive” noted that while judicial officers must exhibit high degree of competence and diligence, uncompromising sense of discipline, an unscathed level of probity, integrity, transparency and incorruptibility, the Executive must never, in any circumstance, employ self-help in the guise of correction of the Judiciary.

    ” The Rule of Law must at all times and in all situations be observed. The test of the maturity of any democracy can be measured by the preparedness of its organs to observe the Rule of Law even in extremely difficult situations.

    “The Bar, on its part, must also not relent in performing its role as the “guardian angel” of the independence of the Judiciary. It is axiomatic that the Bar is a major casualty of an attack on the Judiciary.

    “When the Judiciary is cowed by the Executive, the Bar suffers because litigants, who are clients of lawyers, are not able to obtain, from the Judiciary, decisions which are rendered by courts constituted in such a manner as to secure their independence and impartiality which is an essential ingredient of the right to fair hearing guaranteed by the constitution”.

    Oyetibo emphasized that the Bar has a duty to ward off, through the instrumentality of the law, any tyrannical attempt by the Executive to subject the Judiciary to intimidation with a view to subjugating it to subtle control.

    “The Bar must fight with fervour and pursue with resilience the cause of justice without yielding to any form of intimidation. It is, however, my belief that the Bar, too, must live above board and let integrity and probity be its watchword”, he said.

    Chairman NBA, Ikeja, Prince Dele Oloke, in a welcome address, described Gani Fawehinmiism as a human right colossus whose relevance to the society remained unparalleled.

    ” In all his travails in the hands of the state, he was unwavering in his beliefs and convictions that only strict adherence to rule of law is the premise upon which a just and egalitarian society can be founded”.

  • You watched Nigerians get killed, Soyinka fires back at Amotekun foes

    You watched Nigerians get killed, Soyinka fires back at Amotekun foes

    Professor Wole Soyinka, Nigerian playwright and literary luminary has condemned individuals who tag Operation Amotekun(leopard) initiated by the South West governors to curb insecurity in their region.

    Speaking in Lagos on Wednesday, the Akogun of Isara traced his past concerns for sanity on roads through a memo to the then military governor of the Western State, Maj.-Gen. David Jemibewon (retd).

    He further made reference to talks on the protection of lives and properties of Nigerians at the dawn of Boko Haram attacks during a meeting with the late National Security Adviser, Gen. Owoeye Azazi (retd) including hosting the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, in his Abeokuta, Ogun State home on security matters.

    Soyinka noted that Nigerians have the right to defend themselves against attacks.

    “Our responsibility as a citizen is to take actions against events, phenomenon which militate against our existence, security, productivity and dignity as human beings,” he said.

    “This has been a result of collective consciousness by people of this region. These governors met and they came up with this solution, Amotekun. Now, some people who have been sleeping all this time, taking belated actions in many directions, who watched the citizens of this nation decimated, villages wiped out, farmers chased off their land. They are now coming out to tell us that this initiative is illegal, unconstitutional. I think they should go back to sleep.

    “I prefer to believe that the government itself has not spoken. I refuse to believe that any serious government will raise any objection to this kind of initiative. Amotekun has come to stay.

    “Amotekun is only a part of the story. It should not be the only solution to insecurity. We should move from Amotekun to Awosikun. In other words, we should start thinking in terms of how to feed our own people.”

    Speaking further ,the social critic urged the Buhari led administration to ask for international help as regards the state of insecurity in the country.

    “I have always believed passionately in self policing, if it is possible to eliminate any kind of formal policing.It is important for us to note that the problem of insecurity transcends the boundary of Nigeria. This is one of the dramatic failures of the Buhari regime, the failure to admit that they are confronted by a negative phenomenon that extends them beyond their capacity. Ask for international help, this is an international menace”

     

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B7WIRS6DzJ-/

  • Soyinka to FG: Legality or not, Amotekun has come to stay!

    Soyinka to FG: Legality or not, Amotekun has come to stay!

    Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka has declared that the establishment of Operation Amotekun by Southwest governors ‘has come to stay irrespective of its legality’.

    Soyinka said the supplementary security outfit launched in Ibadan last week, came up as a result of series of meetings by the leaders of the region to curb insecurity issues that the existing security bodies have not been able to put an end to.

    The Nobel Laureate prize winner made this known at the ongoing press conference at his Kongi’s Harvest Art Gallery, Freedom Park, Lagos, opposing the Justice Minister and Attorney-general of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, who declared the security outfit illegal.

    “Amotekun is a result of meetings to curb menace in the region,” he said.

  • Why Buhari govt declared Amotekun ‘Illegal’ – Fani-Kayode

    Femi Fani-Kayode, former Minister of Aviation has kicked against a statement by the Nigerian government describing ‘Operation Amotekun’ as illegal.

    Recall that in a 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 establishment of Amotekun was not backed by any known law in the land.

    “The setting up of the paramilitary organization called “Amotekun” is illegal and runs contrary to the provisions of the Nigerian law.,” Malami said.

    But, Fani-Kayode reacting said he believed that Buhari government will not be in support of the Southwest security outfit because of the interest of herdsmen.

    According to him, the present administration’s primary interest is to protect herdsmen not ‘sons of Oduduwa’

    On his Twitter page, Fani-Kayode wrote: “Not surprised that AG said Operation Amotekun is illegal.

    “Anybody that believes that a Govt. whose primary interest is to protect the interest and further the fortunes of the Fulani & their herdsmen would want the sons of Oduduwa to defend themselves against mass murder is naive.”

  • Sagay tackles FG, insists South West Govs’ ‘Amotekun’ legal

    Chairman of Presidential Advisory Committee against Corruption, PACAC, Prof. Itse Sagay, has declared the establishment of Operation Amotekun by Southwest governors as legal and in line with their constitutional role as chief security officers of their states.

    His position opposed that of the Justice Minister and Attorney-general of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, who declared the security outfit illegal.

    Governors from Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Ondo, Ekiti, and Lagos States last week Thursday in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital launched a security outfit called Amotekun.

    Sagay in an interview with The Nation said the Police lacked adequate manpower to effectively secure a country of nearly 200 million people, hence the establishment of Amotekun was in order.

    “I am positively disposed towards it. I think it is a good beginning not to depend completely on the Federal Government for our security.

    “We should begin to rely more and more on ourselves so that those who feel the pain are those who try to take control of the security situation.

    “We know that the Police are few; they are stretched; we have about 250,000 policemen in a country of almost 200 million. So, I think these regional security institutions are necessary.

    “I believe the police should cooperate with them and help with their training. And I believe eventually, they should even be armed so that we can have a lot more hands and local people involved in security.

    “Perhaps that can lead to other benefits, such as economic cooperation and wealth creation; and gradually, we’ll begin to regain what we lost when we lost the regions in the 60s. So, yes, I support it.

    “It’s not state police. I think the people who created it have been careful. *Yes, there is a security outfit, but there is nothing in the Constitution that precludes either states or association of states from taking care of their security.*

    “There is this popular saying that the governor is the chief security officer of a state. That’s not an empty statement.

    “They get a lot of money for security, and I look at this as part of the responsibility of the governors acting jointly to provide greater security in the Southwest.”

  • BREAKING: FG declares South West Govs newly launched ‘Amotekun’ illegal

    The Federal Government on Tuesday declared as illegal the paramilitary outfit ‘Amotekun’ launched last week by the South West governors.

    The Attorney General of the Federation made the feeling of the government known in a statement made available to Vanguard on Tuesday.

    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.

     

  • Amotekun a special New Year gift – Soyinka

    Amotekun a special New Year gift – Soyinka

    Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka has described the formation of the Western Nigeria Security Network, with the code name of ‘Amotekun’ as a pleasant New Year Gift.

    He declared support for the supplementary security outfit launched in Ibadan last week, saying its emergence signified that the yearnings of Nigerians prevailed.

    Soyinka spoke in Lagos today at an event held at the Muson Centre in Lagos.

    The event tagged ‘Never Again’, was organised to discuss the way forward, 50 years after the Nigerian civil war.In attendance at the event were some eminent Nigerians such as Professor Anya Anya, Professor Banji Akintoye, Professor Pat Utomi, Major General Obi Umahi (rtd), and the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, among others.

    Each of the six states in the South West donated 20 patrol vans each and also motorbikes to start the security outfit, with headquarters in Gbongan, Osun State.

    Details soon..

  • Amotekun: Tender public apology to Kanu – IPOB tells Ohanaeze, S’East govs

    The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has demanded an unreserved apology from the South-East governors and the Ohanaeze Ndigbo over their alleged roles in its prosecution and proscription.

    The group said the governors and the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation must tender the apology to its leader, Nnamdi Kanu and the entire IPOB family.

    In a statement on Saturday by the Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, the group said recent events indicated the Igbo leaders’ sudden reverse decision to support the moves they (IPOB) had fought for that led to its proscription.

    The pro-Biafran group argued that the launch of Operation Amotekun security outfit by the South-West governors, was akin to idea it’s leader initiated in the South- East which the Igbo leaders condemned.

    The group insisted that it should be de-proscribed in view of the unfolding events in the country.

    The statement partly read, “We the global family of the Indigenous People of Biafra ably led by our great and indomitable leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu commend South West governors, elders, stakeholders and politicians for their doggedness and courage to protect their people and their region from evil hands.

    “This is not the first time in recent weeks that our leader’s(Kanu’s) position and approach has been vindicated by events and utterances from other ethnic groups within Nigeria.

    ” The inescapable truth remains that Bishop Kukah’s commendable utterances about the Jihadi intent of the present regime in Nigeria and formation of a Yoruba vigilante by OPC are all lines of reasoning and event consistently canvassed and championed by IPOB in the past. The fact remains that Nigeria as presently constituted is the greatest threat to life and peace.

    “The Yoruba decision and effort to launch Operation Amotekun security outfit just like our leader launched Biafra Security Service in 2017 is most commendable.

    “What we find horribly appalling however is that those who were at the forefront of misrepresenting and condemning our leader for having the vision and foresightedness to challenge terrorism in Nigeria are today praise singing the introduction of Amotekun.

    “Even the treacherous Ohanaeze Ndigbo and South East Governors’ Forum that actively connived with their masters to launch a deadly military invasion of Biafraland on the back of the launch of BSS are today openly praising Yoruba leaders for backing OPC’s Amotekun project when they themselves heartlessly sold out IPOB for a pot of porridge.

    “IPOB wholeheartedly welcome Amotekun and say good morning to those who out of ignorance, poor sense of vision, lack of reasoning and self consuming jealousy fought against the formation BSS. They should cover their faces in shame if they have any face left after this.

    “We believe the time has come for all those who ignorantly questioned the modus operadi of IPOB and the vision of Biafra liberation as boldly preached by our leader to tender an unreserved public apology.”

  • Amotekuun not different from IPOB – Northern Youths

    The Northern Youths Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has faulted the creation of Amotekun in the South-West, claiming it is not different from the outlawed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB).

    Recall tha TheNewsguru, TNG reported that the Amotekun was launched in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Thursday as part of measures to curb crime in Yoruba land.

    But the NYCN in a statement faulted the move, describing Amotekun as the “military wing” of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC).

    “Amotekun group in the South-West is OPC military wing in disguise and in the same league with the proscribed IPOB. The President must not allow this unconstitutionality to prevail,” the body said.

    “The South-West governors must desist from backing nefarious groups such as this one. Amotekun is a threat to peace and national security and an attempt to jeopardise Nigeria’s sovereignty. Amotekun is no different from Boko Haram and IPOB in their formative stages.”

    Furthermore, the group said: “Nigeria Police, DSS and Army shouldn’t take this lightly with the governors of the Southwest.

    “The National Security Adviser should promptly take steps that will avert the looming threat to our national security that is about to be threatened by the South-West governors, OPC and others.”

  • S/West governors to launch regional security outfit, Amotekun on Jan. 9

    THE joint Southwest security outfit, Amotekun, will be inaugurated on January 9, Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi, has confirmed.

    Recall that TheNewsGuru (TNG) had earlier reported that the stage was set for the launch of the outfit by the six governors of the region.

    The outfit will take off on January 9 after the endorsement of the reviewed Standard Operating Practice (SOP) the governors of Ondo (Oluwarotimi Akeredolu); Ekiti (Dr. Fayemi); Oyo (Seyi Makinde); Osun (Adegboyega Oyetola); Ogun (Prince Dapo Abiodun) and Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos).

    Fayemi, who made this known in his New Year message, said the outfit would complement the efforts of the regular security agencies.

    He said: “On January 9, 2020, the Western Nigeria Security Network known as Amotekun shall commence operations in all the six states in our zone

    “Ekiti is very active in this initiative which will go a long way in securing the people and protecting the state.

    “The fact remains, however, that criminality cannot be totally eradicated even as we are working meticulously at reducing it to the barest minimum in Ekiti State, and the evidence is there for all to see and acknowledge that we are making steady progress.

    “Since we are not an Island, we are working with neigbouring states to strengthen our security architecture.”

    The governor urged community leaders and groups not to allow themselves to be used to cause unnecessary tension that could trigger crisis.

    He said: “I have personally kept a close watch on the security situation within and around Ekiti State, and I can assure you that as a government, we are leaving no stone unturned to ensure safety of lives and property in our dear state.

    “Ekiti remains one of the safest places to live, work and conduct business in Nigeria. Henceforth, I urge our community leaders or groups not to allow themselves to be used to spread fake or unsubstantiated news with a view to setting the residents against themselves or destabilising the peace of the state

    “We must encourage our people to report any strange signal or incident, but we must resist the temptation to resort to self-help at any time.”

    He assured residents that the state will witness rapid improvement on its infrastructure in the New Year with a view to accelerating the economic recovery.

    Dr. Fayemi said his administration is making steady, visible and sustainable progress in all areas as the state is now moving “from potentials to actualisation”.

    Reiterating the resolve of his government to make life more meaningful and comfortable, he said that he would flag off the construction of four major roads that are critical to the industrial and agricultural development of the state by the middle of the month.

    He listed the roads as Oye-Ikun-Otun, Aramoko-Erinjiyan – Ikogosi, Agbado – Isinbode-Omuo and Ilupeju-Ire-Igbemo roads.

    The new road projects are in addition to the on-gong work on the 7.2km new Ado-Iyin road, repairs in Ado township and commencement of the Ado Ekiti ring road, the Ado Ekiti Agro-Airport and repairs of other critical arteries in the state.

    Fayemi said the 2020 budget of deliverables is “eloquent testimonies” to his administration’s deliberate and honest quest at providing good road network and improving the enabling environment for business concers in Ekiti State.

    The governor said: “As a government, we are stepping up our efforts to bridge the huge infrastructural gaps to facilitate industrial development in Ekiti State. As of today, most of the economically viable but hitherto abandoned projects are being brought back to life. I am equally assuring you that all the ongoing and new projects for 2020 will receive adequate attention to ensure delivery within the stipulated time.

    “On Monday, January 13, 2020, I shall flag off four major roads that are critical to industrial + agricultural development – Oye-Ikun-Otun, Aramoko-Erinjiyan – Ikogosi, Agbado – Isinbode-Omuo and Ilupeju-Ire-Igbemo roads. This is in addition to the on-gong work on the Ado New Iyin Road, repairs in Ado township and commencement of the Ado Ekiti Ring Road, the Ado Ekiti Agro-Airport and repairs of other critical arteries in the state.”

    On the vision of his government to grow agribusiness, open farm to market access roads, the governor said the state government with the support of the World Bank-assisted RAAMP initiative would, embark on the construction of 1,000 km of rural roads to aid and enhance agribusiness in the State.

    He said the government plans to explore the untapped natural resources and maximize the potential through the promotion and sustenance of agribusiness and solid mineral development as the mainstay of our economy.

    He added that the administration is on course to lifting Ekiti people out of poverty to the path of prosperity by empowering farmers and entrepreneurs in the agriculture and solid minerals value chain.

    Fayemi said: “Already, Promasidor Nigeria Limited has effectively taken over Ikun Dairy Farm to enhance the maximization of its full potential in a public private partnership.

    “We have also restructured and expanded our rice and cassava programmes through partnership with key private sector players like Dangote Farms, Jumlar Rice Limited and Stallion Rice who are all setting up rice mills in the state in 2020 and a number of cassava mills are also coming up – Promise Point, FMS Farms and Krest Farms are pioneers here.

    “More brownfield and greenfield investments in agribusiness are being planned in palm oil and cocoa sector, and we are sure they will manifest in year 2020.”

    Reviewing the efforts of his administration in 2019, the governor said his government doubled efforts at redefining good governance by restructuring, strengthening and empowering the public service to function more effectively.

    He added that the injection of 3,000 new workers into the public service was not because the income of the State had increased but to ensure efficiency in service delivery.

    His words: “The year 2019 was definitely better than the previous year for our public servants. Their salaries were regular and they could plan their lives in a more productive manner.

    “Over 1000 retired public servants collected their gratuity both in the State and Local Government Service in 2019 as we increased monthly gratuity to N100 million from N10 million in the previous administration.

    “Our ultimate aim is to ensure that all retirees receive their gratuity shortly after retirement. We started paying the new minimum wage in October 2019 and I promise Ekiti kete that this will extend to all categories of workers beyond grade level 6 as soon as the current negotiation on consequential adjustment is completed.”