The Governor of Ondo State, Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu on Tuesday berated the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami over his declaration of Amotekun, a recently launched security outfit in the South-West as illegal.
The governor was reacting to an earlier statement by the Minister of Justice. In a statement signed by his Special Assistant on Media and Public Relations, the Attorney General of the Federation had said the establishment of Amotekun was not backed by any known law in the land.
“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, Akeredolu, while speaking on Channels Television said the governors will respond to Malami when he comes up with the ‘relevant portions of the law on the matter, stressing that the AGF does not make law.
”One thing is clear, laws are not made in the office of the Attorney General; he can only interpret the laws and give positions of government on matters relating to the law.
“When he comes out with relevant portions of the law on the matter, we will consider it and respond adequately as the law stipulates.
“We have not met, but I can assure you that when we meet, we will adequately respond to the position of the AGF.