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.
Abubakar Malami had in a statement on Tuesday, said, security remains the exclusive preserve of the federal government.
“The setting up of the paramilitary organisation called Amotekun is illegal and runs contrary to the provisions of the Nigerian law,” Malami said in the statement which Umar Gwandu, his spokesman, issued on his behalf.
“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.”
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.
