Amotekun: Why Is Hisbah Not Illegal? Southern Leaders Ask FG

The Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF) has knocked the Federal Government over the declaration of the Operation Amotekun as illegal , describing the move as unjust.

Naijaparry reported that the
Amotekun which was launched last week in Ibadan, Oyo State, was meant to tackle insecurity in the South-West.

FG Says Security Not States’ Duty

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami (SAN), in a statement on Tuesday, however, said security remains the exclusive preserve of the Federal Government and that the outfit runs contrary to the provisions of the Nigerian law.

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

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“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 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 organisation or agency for the defence of Nigeria or any of its constituent parts.”

Southern Leaders Allege Conspiracy

While reacting to the development, the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF) in a statement on Wednesday, wondered why the Hisbah police in the Northern part of Nigeria is legal and Amotekun declared unlawful.

According to the group, “We consider his action [declaring Amotekun illegal] as an abuse of office to suppress the rights of federating units to secure themselves and in furtherance of the widely – held suspicion that sections of the country are deliberately being rendered vulnerable for herdsmen and other criminals by the Federal Government.

“We ask the Governors of the South-West to ignore Malami and allow him to go to court to challenge their decision as he cannot constitute himself as a court over elected governors. We are not under military rule.”

It argued that “The right to preserve your life cannot be under any exclusive list other than the list of those who have no value for human lives.

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“The ultra vire action of the AGF has further exposed Nigeria as a country under command and control and governed by a conquest mentality. We ask Malami to tell us what makes Amotekun illegal and Hisbah legal.

“He should further explain to us what makes Civilian JTF legal in the North East where there is war and in Zamfara and Katsina and Kano where there is no war, while Amotekun is his only illegal take. This is a defining moment to decide if we are under segregation and different laws in the country.”

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