Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Abiodun Adams, has urged the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister for Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN) not to set a bad precedent in the country by interpreting the laws of the land in a way that suggests he is taking side with a section of the country.
Reacting to the declaration of the security initiative of the South-West governors operation AMOTEKUN as ‘illegal’, by Malami, Adams wondered the rationale for taking such position when similar security outfits are operated in other sections of the country.
Describing the position of the AGF on the volatile situation as illegal, unlawful, immoral and of no effect, Iba Adams said this is because the declaration has proved some critics right that some states in the country are deliberately left vulnerable to attacks by criminals.
The Yoruba Generalissimo reminded the Attorney-General that the right to life is universal and no government can legislate against that, adding that Nigerians and indeed the people of the South West have the right to protect and defend themselves.
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The response which came in form of an open letter to the Justice Minister and personally signed by Adams reads in parts, “I find it disturbing your statement of Tuesday January14, 2020 declaring the security initiative of South West governors, operation AMOTEKUN as illegal.
“You also threatened that the full course of the law will be applied to anybody promoting the AMOTEKUN security initiative. May be you have forgotten.
“I need to remind you that you are the Attorney-General of the country, not a section of the country.
“So, your outburst against the governors who were elected, not selected or appointed, is against the spirit of the 1999 Constituted (as amended).
“The Yoruba Generalissimo reminded the Attorney-General that the right to life is universal and no government can legislate against that, adding that.
“I don’t need to bother you about killings, kidnappings, banditry and other criminal vices in the South-West recently.
“Even Mrs. Funke Olakunrin, the daughter of Yoruba leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, was killed and nobody has been arrested in respect of all these killings.
“One thing is clear: Nigerians have the right to protect themselves. Not only that: South-West people have a right to protect and defend themselves against attacks.
“AMOTEKUN is an initiative by the South-West governors to defend our people. “Where you are getting it wrong is this: The AMOTEKUN initiative has nothing to do with the territorial integrity of Nigeria. If there is a breach of the territorial integrity of the country, the military will come in immediately.
“So, nobody is rising against Nigeria, as your letter to the governors, directly or indirectly, implied.
“What is happening is that our people no longer feel safe because the land has been invaded by some elements from within and outside the country.
“It is unfortunate that rather than praise the governors, you are condemning their action, thereby strengthening the hands of those who believe the Federal Government is against some sections of the country.
“As a lawyer and a Senior Advocate, you should know that you are not the law. You are only the Attorney-General, not a court. “It is only a court of competent jurisdiction that will decide if what an individual, group of individuals, an entity or a state does is legal or otherwise.
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“So, it is only a court that can invalidate the South-West joint security initiative, not you. “I want to establish this fact that the Yoruba have a right to protect themselves from attack or violence of any sort.
“Issues of security is highly sensitive, and we can now understand where the threat is coming from. It is unfortunate that the FG is doing everything to frustrate the South West governors’ efforts.
“For instance, last Wednesday, that was less than 24-hours before the launching of Operation AMOTEKUN, in Ibadan, the Presidency summoned the South West governors to Aso Rock.
“We knew about the intrigues that played out at the meeting. We knew about the frustrations at Aso Rock, but the governors, having realised the implications of playing politics with the lives of their people, stood their ground and went ahead to launch the security outfit as planned.
“So, it is your position on this volatile situation that is illegal, unlawful, immoral and of no effect because your declaration has proved some critics right that some states in the country are deliberately left vulnerable to attacks by criminals.
“I want to state that the right to life cannot be in the exclusive list of any serious government. He further called on the South West governors to ignore the position of the AGF, saying “I call on Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Gboyega Oyetola (Osun), Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo) and Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti) to ignore your position on this matter.”
He further asks, “Why do people employ guards in their houses? For security. “Why do Community Development Associations (CDAs) employ guards to secure streets and areas? To ensure protection of lives and property.
“Is that initiative in the exclusive list of the constitution? No. “I repeat that the right to preserve and protect your life can never be in the exclusive list of any government.
“I am aware of similar security outfits in other sections of the country. Why you are against the protection of the lives and properties of Yoruba people defies logic. “This week is the 50th anniversary of the end of the civil war.
“We should do everything to avoid plunging the country into another war. Mr. Malami, Please don’t set a bad precedence,” Adams pleads.
