Sagay Snubs Buhari Govt Directive, Backs Amotekun

The chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee against Corruption (PACAC), Professor Itse Sagay, has backed the establishment of the South-west security outfit, Operation Amotekun.

Naija News reports that the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, had asked south-west governors to disband the security outfit.

He said that no other authority at the state level, whether the executive or legislature has the legal authority over defence.

“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,” Malami said.

Reacting, Prof Sagay (SAN) told The Nation that the creation of the security outfit by South-west governors was legal.

The presidential aide said security agencies do not have the numbers to protect every Nigerian and his property.

He said it was a good beginning not to depend completely on the Federal Government for security.

“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,” Sagay said.

“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.”

He said nothing in the Constitution “precludes either states or association of states from taking care of their security”.