The Osun State House of Assembly has refuted claims suggesting that the recently amended law establishing the Osun State Security Network Agency, also known as Amotekun, empowers the corps to prosecute offenders.
In a statement issued on Monday by Olamide Tiamiyu, Chief Press Secretary to Speaker Adewale Egbedun, the Assembly described such interpretations of the amended law as deliberate misrepresentations by certain groups.
The statement clarified that Section 4(1)(k) of the amended law requires the Amotekun Corps to forward case files to the office of the Attorney-General after completing investigations.This, the Assembly emphasized, aligns with Sections 174 and 211 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which reserve prosecutorial authority for federal and state attorneys-general.
The Assembly reiterated that Amotekun was established to address rising security challenges overwhelming the police, rather than to serve as a political instrument.
Urging stakeholders to avoid politicising security issues, the Assembly cautioned that such actions could erode public confidence and hinder the effectiveness of the security outfit.
According to the statement: “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, described as a “child of necessity,” was established to address gaps in the security architecture and protect the lives and property of Osun residents.
The Assembly reiterated its commitment to ensuring the corps operates efficiently and free from undue hindrance.
The Assembly urged the public to disregard misinformation and trust in its efforts to safeguard the state’s security interests.
