The Osun State House of Assembly has refuted assertions that the recently revised legislation establishing the Osun State Security Network Agency, commonly referred to as Amotekun, confers prosecutorial authority upon the corps.
This clarification comes in response to what the Assembly characterizes as a willful misinterpretation of the amended legislation by certain factions.
In a statement released by Olamide Tiamiyu, the Chief Press Secretary to Speaker Adewale Egbedun, on Monday, the Osun State Assembly emphasized that Section 4(1)(k) of the amended law clearly requires the Amotekun Corps to submit case files to the Attorney-General’s office upon the conclusion of investigations.
The Assembly underscored that this stipulation is consistent with Sections 174 and 211 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which reserve prosecutorial powers solely for the federal and state attorneys-general.
Furthermore, the Assembly highlighted that the Amotekun Corps was established in response to increasing security threats that have surpassed the capabilities of the police force rather than as a political instrument.
It urged critics and stakeholders to avoid politicizing security issues, warning that such behaviour could compromise the corps’ effectiveness and erode public confidence.
The statement issued on Monday reads: “The law was passed with the aim of strengthening crime deterrence and ensuring justice for the people of Osun State. Politicising the operations of Amotekun is not only unhelpful but also dangerous.
“The Assembly further advised individuals and groups with questions or concerns about the law to seek clarification from the appropriate channels instead of spreading false narratives.”
Amotekun, referred to as a “child of necessity,” was created to fill the voids in the security framework and to safeguard the lives and properties of the residents of Osun.
The Assembly reaffirmed its dedication to ensuring that the corps functions effectively and without unnecessary obstacles.
The Assembly called upon the public to ignore false information and to have confidence in its initiatives aimed at protecting the security interests of the state.
