Mallam Ali Urges FG To Support Amotekun Says, It’s Not Illegal

Mallam Ali, SAN, who spoke with journalists in Ilorin, Kwara State capital on the sideline of a special luncheon he organised in honour of Professor Abdullateef Oladimeji, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Al-Hikma University, Ilorin, who has been elevated to the status of a professorship of the institution, asked the Federal Government to support Amotekun.

He urged Nigerians not to politicise something that has to do with lives, since it is sacred, saying that it should rather be assisted and supported to ensure that people live in a peaceful and harmonious atmosphere.

Ali said: “There is nothing wrong with the formation of the security outfit in the region since it is meant to protect their lives and property. It is legal and constitutional.

“Operation Amotekun is not the first security outfit to be floated in the country, and I just wonder why there is so much noise about an outfit that is out to protect lives and property of the citizens.

Also Read:

https://ekohotblog.com/2020/01/21/amotekun-its-way-to-go-in-addressing-security-challenges-ayuba/

“I was the lawyer that defended the setting up of Hisba in Kano during the regime of President Olusegun Obasanjo. Even some of the officers of the Hisba, who were charged to court, were discharged and acquitted by the court based on our argument that it was not unconstitutional, and up till now, Hisba is still functioning and working well in Kano State.

“I don’t see the hues and cries over Amotekun, I don’t see anything spectacular about it. In any event, this outfit exists in many parts of Nigeria with different names such as Vigilante, Joint Task Force, JTF, and so on.

“I don’t think we should politicise something that has to do with our lives and limbs and property. Nobody is happy about the level of insecurity all over the place.”.

On the Attorney General of the Federation’s position on Amotekun, he said: “Law is made for man not man for the law. Even Hisba was challenged by the Federal Government and they didn’t make any progress out of it at the time of its establishment.

“We have been told by several people that we don’t have enough policemen to police Nigeria and that is part of the reasons we have problems. I think anybody who wants to assist our country should be assisted, should be supported. The issue of insecurity is very important.”