Anambra State Attorney General Urges Ndi Anambra to Obey Homeland Security Laws
By Chinelo Okeke
Anambra State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Professor Sylvia Chika Ifemeje has urged Ndi Anambra to Obey Homeland Security Laws of the state.
The AG who stated this at the PSPF town hall meeting, noted that the law provides for the maintenance of internal security and order in the state. She further explained that the laws also help to establish the Agunechemba Security outfit within the state, focusing on the salient innovation of this law which came into force on the 17th of January 2025.
Prof. Ifemeje highlighted that the new law aims to combat emerging criminal activities that threaten state security. The current criminal code, she noted, didn't anticipate these issues.
According to her, key provisions of the Law included; Section 3 which establishes the Agunechemba Security outfit, operating at town, local government, and state levels, with the state as central command. She stressed that all security personnel under this law must undergo thorough scrutiny and identification by their traditional ruler, president general, local representative, and market association chairman.
Prof. Ifemeje highlighted that Section 4 of the law outlined the functions of Agunechemba to include; Crime detection and Prevention, preservation of law and order, protection of lives and properties; to arrest criminals and hand them over to police for investigations, give further assistance to the police
"Section 5: This section mandates Agunechemba Security outfit to: arrest and hand over offenders to the police, patrol streets and maintain security barricades, identify and hand over individuals of questionable character; conduct searches in suspicious premises, form special squads to tackle;
kidnapping, banditry, illicit drug consumption, cultism, robbery and other violent crimes.
The commissioner outlined the structure of the security supervisory committee at the state level, comprising: the governor or representative, commissioner in charge of Homeland Security, Special Adviser to the governor on Security; representatives from the Nigerian Police Force, DSS, and civil defence, chairman of the house of Assembly Committee on Security, chairman of the council of traditional rulers, Secretary or Legal Adviser from the Ministry of Justice, Mayors of local governments and other members appointed by the governor
"At the local government level, the supervisory committee consists of: Mayors of local governments, president generals, security commanders of communities; leader of the congress of councillors, DPOs, secretary appointed by the state Agunechemba supervisory committee. The supervisory committee's role is to ensure proper coordination of the security outfit at the local government level.
"Section 10, establishes a body known as town security management and finance committee which include traditional ruler who is the patron,PGs, stake holders in the community of integrity with expertise in security and financial capacity to support the outfit, DPOs, and a Chairman to be selected by members whose function include, coordination of the outfit at the town levels, ensuring proper compliance with code of conduct of members welfare and appointment of the security commanders of Agunechemba unit and raising of fund for the unit
"Section 11,the operation committee include,PG as chairman, security commander as a member, DPOs and others appointed by members of management and finance committee and it is expected of all PGs to be submitting report every week of the month of their activities.while section 13,states that failure of PGs to submit report shall have his certificate of recognition withdrawn.
"Section 14,places a duty on proprietor of hotels to obtain from tenant a valid means of identification, with phone numbers and occupation,placing of CCTV cameras to monitor activities in there and non compliance to this is punishable and might lead to shutting down of the hotel by Commissioner for Tourism.while section 15 warns that any building or forest where kidnapping activities are going on shall be forfeited to the state government.
" Section 16 warns against the manufacture and sale of illicit drugs and any building used for that shall be forfeited, section 18 warns against okite and Ezenwanyi for any who indulges in that shall be convicted to six years imprisonment with an option of N20million, section 18 (2) prohibits dumping of sacrifice on the road which is also punishable upon violation 6 years imprisonment or a fine of N20million while Section 18 (3),any person who deceives people that he possesses such supernatural power is liable to punishment, 6 years imprisonment or option of N20million fine or both if convicted.
"Sections 19 and 20 of the law outline severe penalties for specific offenses. Section 19 prohibits the use of religious places for committing crimes, with convicted offenders facing 6 years imprisonment, a N20 million fine, or both. Additionally, the religious place may be sealed. Section 20 specifically addresses the use of human parts for ritual purposes, carrying a stringent penalty of 25 years imprisonment without the option of a fine.
* Okeke is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State *
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