• Please ignore Malami, Sagay tells SouthWest Govs

The Federal Government has described as illegal the newly launched South-West security outfit codenamed, Amotekun.

The Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), who is the chief law officer, said security remains the exclusive preserve of the Federal Government.

In a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the AGF on Media and Public Relations, Dr. Umar Gwandu, he said the outfit was illegal.

The statement read in part, “The setting up of the paramilitary organisation 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 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.

“This is sanctioned by the provision of Item 45 of the Second Schedule of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) authorising the police and other Federal

Government security services established by law to maintain law and order.”

But in a swift reaction, Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN), chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC) has asked Southwest governors to ignore the directive of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN) describing Operation Amotekun as illegal.

Speaking with Daily Independent, Sagay said the governors have no business consulting Malami before coming up with the idea of how best to secure their states or region.