‘I never said Amotekun is illegal’, Malami recants statement

…I was misinterpreted by the Yorubas

By Bamidele Moyosore

The Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami on Thursday revoked his earlier comment about the establishment of the Western Nigeria Security Outfit, codenamed Amotekun, which he declared illegal.

Malami, whose condemnation on the outfit codenamed Operation Amotekun has since caused uproar among the Yorubas, as well as on social media, claimed he was only misinterpreted by the six southwest governors and the people of Western Nigeria.

He made this statement while during an interview on Radio Nigeria Abuja this morning.

He said, “I was misinterpreted on Operation Amotekun, I did not say it’s Illegal.”

“I said the Operation Amotekun should be properly back by law, so if at the end of this government, if the Operation has been backed by law, any government that eventually succeeded this government will not rubbish the Operation”.

“I said if they failed to enact a law in support of Amotekun in the South West Region of Nigeria, another government can come and say it’s Illegal and this is because it is not back by any law”.

“So, It just an advice to the state governors to use their power and the State House of Assemblies in their various states to enact a law that will make the Operation more effective.” He said.

This statement seems to have given a kind of reduction in the tension of the sustainability of this outfit, congratulations to southwest and Yoruba populace in general.

The DailyBells recalls that on January 14, 2020, Malami, had through a statement signed by his Special Assistant on Media and Public Relations, Dr Umar Gwandu, said the establishment of Amotekun is illegal.

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.”