Abiodun Seeks Amotekun Law Review To Prosecute Criminal Suspects

Ogun state government is currently working on the review the law establishing the state owned security outfit, State Security Network Agency, popularly known Amotekun Corp.

According to it, the new bill is seeking to review the existing Ogun State Security Network Agency and Amotekun Corps Law, 2020.

Commander of the Corps, Retired Brigadier General Alade Adedigba, who made this known while answering questions during an interactive media parley with newsmen in Abeokuta, the state capital, said the newly drafted bill for Amotekun is currently before the Ministry of Justice.

Adedigba explained that the proposed new bill will empower the Ogun Amotekun the power to prosecute the arrested criminal suspects instead of handing them over to the police.

The Commander added that the review of the new bill upon completion will be forwarded to the state house of assembly for passage and eventual assent by Governor Dapo Abiodun.

According to him, while the review is important, the security agency is not concerned about the issue of who eventually charges an arrested suspect to court but to ensure the synergy between security agencies in order to keep the state safe.

“Earlier this year, we resubmitted a new draft bill for Amotekun to the Ministry of Justice. The Ministry is reviewing it and very soon it will get to the Ogun State House of Assembly for passage and eventual assent by the Governor.

“we are not in competition with any agency. We are more interested in collaboration. The issue of who prosecutes is not important but the most important thing is that the state is safe. The Service Commanders in Ogun State are one and there is no competition,” he said.

Adedigba attributed the success recorded by the agency in the recent times to the strong backing of Governor Dapo Abiodun, especially with the recent approval for the recruitment of more personnel, as well as provision of the operational infrastructure to tackle criminal activities in the state.

“Amotekun now has a presence in every area of security concern including highways, rural areas, schools, urban centres, forest reserves and government facilities, a feat he attributed to the logistical and manpower support from the state government.

“Today, we have over fifty operational vehicles and over seventy-five motorbikes to aid mobility. Currently we have deployment in 22 tertiary institutions and 11 vocational institutions. This is made possible because we are being equipped and funded,” he said.

Also speaking at the parley, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, AIG Olusola Subair (Rtd), declared that the state is safer than it was some years ago as a result of Governor Abiodun’s commitment to security of lives and property.

“If you want to be truthful, you know that about two or three years ago, you hear of cultism here in Abeokuta, Sango Ota, Sagamu and other parts of the state. Now these things have subsided and that is due to the fact that our governor is very proactive with regards to ensuring there is security in Ogun State and the fact that we enjoy synergy between all security agencies in Ogun State. If you look at our road from Abeokuta here to Sagamu Interchange, you will see that on a daily basis, industries are springing up. That is to attest to the fact that Ogun State is safe and Ogun State is secure,” Subair said.

The media parley was also attended by the Ogun State Accountant General, Tunde Aregbesola, and former Commissioner of Police in Ogun State, Edward Ajogun.