Makinde to sign ‘Amotekun’ bill into law Tuesday

Barring any last-minute change, Oyo state Governor, Seyi Makinde will on Tuesday sign into law the bill backing the establishment of the Oyo state Security Network Agency codenamed ‘Amotekun’ Corps.

The bill was passed with fanfare by the House of Assembly last Tuesday as lawmakers and members of staff wore fabrics with leopard designs to the plenary.

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The bill, which was the sole discussion for the day, passed third reading and was passed into law by a unanimous decision.

Meanwhile, reports have it that the office of the Governor of Oyo state has started making preparations for the ceremonial signing of ‘Amotekun’ bill into law by Gov. Makinde tomorrow.

The governor has played a pivotal role in the establishment of the regional security outfit due to the central location and importance of Oyo state to the south-west.

For instance, the security summit, which gave birth to the idea of ‘Amotekun’, was held in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital in July.

The outfit was also jointly launched in the premises of Gov. Makinde’s office on January 9, before the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN) declared a regional security outfit illegal.

‘Operation Amotekun’ was originally conceived as a regional security outfit by governors of Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Ekiti, Ondo and Lagos states.

The governors agreed to give it legal backing by the legislature of each state to overcome its illegality in the face of the Nigerian constitution.

The state assemblies and attorneys general of the six states worked together to generate the law backing the outfit.

Though, it was created on state-by-state basis, the outfit will still operate as a regional organization, wearing the same uniform, using the same operational guidelines, having joint training for personnel and working together across borders to prevent criminality or track down criminals .

Gov. Makinde is reportedly preparing to sign the bill into law on Tuesday as directive has been given for staff to set the stage for the ceremony.