NBA Akure: Urges Ondo Govt to Deploy More Amotekun Legal Officers

• The Nigerian Bar Association, Akure Branch, has urged the Ondo State Government to second more lawyers to the Amotekun Corps.
• This measure aims to strengthen legal scrutiny of charges and protect the rights of suspects in cases involving the security agency.
• The Amotekun Corps was established in January 2020 by six South-West states to combat crime and complement conventional security.
• The NBA Akure Branch also criticized the Ondo judiciary's electronic filing system for requiring physical document submissions after online uploads.
• The association advocates for a fully electronic filing system and exemption for urgent ex parte applications from mandatory e-filing.

The Nigerian Bar Association's Akure Branch has formally urged the Ondo State Government to assign additional legal professionals from the Ministry of Justice to the Ondo State Security Network Agency, commonly known as the Amotekun Corps.

The Nigerian Bar Association's Akure Branch has formally urged the Ondo State Government to assign additional legal professionals from the Ministry of Justice to the Ondo State Security Network Agency, commonly known as the Amotekun Corps. This appeal aims to significantly bolster the legal review of proposed charges and various court procedures before cases are presented in court. The association believes that such a measure is crucial for upholding legal standards and safeguarding the fundamental rights of individuals involved in the judicial process.

This significant recommendation was articulated in a communiqué released following the branch's recent monthly assembly, which took place at the Aare Afe Babalola Bar Centre in Akure. The document, which was made public on Tuesday, bears the signatures of the branch chairman, Mr. Oju Kekemeke, and its secretary, Oluwanike Omotayo. The NBA Akure Branch emphasized that the deployment of more Amotekun Corps lawyers would ensure that all cases initiated by the security outfit adhere strictly to established legal protocols, thereby preventing potential infringements on the rights of those accused.

The Amotekun Corps, officially known as the Ondo State Security Network Agency, was inaugurated in January 2020. This regional security initiative was a collaborative effort by six states in Nigeria's South-West geopolitical zone, specifically Ondo, Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Osun, and Oyo. Its primary mandate is to operate as a supplementary force to existing conventional security organizations, with a focus on combating prevalent criminal activities such as kidnapping, banditry, and other forms of lawlessness.

The formation of the Amotekun Corps arose from escalating concerns regarding the security landscape across the South-West region. Each participating state's House of Assembly enacted specific legislation to provide a legal framework for the establishment and operation of the corps, underscoring its role in enhancing regional safety and order. The NBA's current call for increased legal presence within the corps is directly linked to ensuring that this vital security apparatus operates within the bounds of these established laws and respects individual liberties.

Beyond its recommendations for the Amotekun Corps, the Nigerian Bar Association's Akure Branch also voiced strong criticism regarding the current electronic filing system employed by the state judiciary. The association highlighted a significant inefficiency: despite the availability of online uploading and payment functionalities, legal practitioners are no longer compelled to submit physical copies of their documents. This hybrid approach, according to the NBA, undermines the very purpose of an electronic system and creates unnecessary duplication of effort.

The branch advocates for a complete transition to a fully electronic filing system, proposing that court registries assume responsibility for generating any necessary physical copies directly from the digitally submitted documents. This would streamline the process for lawyers and reduce administrative burdens. Furthermore, the NBA specifically requested that urgent ex parte applications be excluded from the mandatory e-filing requirement, recognizing the time-sensitive nature of such legal proceedings.

The core motivation behind the Nigerian Bar Association Akure Branch's proposals is a dual commitment to upholding due process within security operations and modernizing judicial administration. By advocating for increased legal representation within the Amotekun Corps, the branch aims to proactively ensure that all actions taken by the agency, from initial charges to court processes, are meticulously reviewed for legal soundness and respect for individual liberties. This proactive measure is seen as essential for fostering public trust and ensuring justice.

Regarding the judicial e-filing system, the NBA's stance reflects a desire for greater efficiency and accessibility within the legal framework. The current system, which necessitates both digital submission and physical delivery, is viewed as an impediment rather than an aid. To address these concerns and push for comprehensive reforms, the Akure Branch has announced its intention to convene a meeting with key stakeholders, including the Chief Judge, prominent senior members of the Bar, and past branch chairmen, to collaboratively discuss and resolve the identified challenges.

Lawyers representing clients in Ondo State should be aware of the Nigerian Bar Association's advocacy for enhanced legal scrutiny within the Amotekun Corps, which may lead to improved adherence to due process and rights protection in cases involving the agency. Additionally, practitioners must continue to navigate the hybrid electronic and physical filing system in the Ondo judiciary, while monitoring for potential reforms.

Source: Original reporting via PUNCH