Ondo court rules against Amotekun for declaring three officers wanted

The Ondo State High Court in Akure has thrown out claims for damages by three officers of the Ondo State Security Network, known as Amotekun Corps. The court supported the agency's right to discipline officers who misbehave.

But the court disagreed with Amotekun for declaring the officers wanted for avoiding arrest.

The officers, Abu Taiwo, Akinsipe Victor, and Ekujuni Julius, faced serious charges of "mutiny, conspiracy and incitement" against the state.

These three had protested against the agency. They asked for proper job papers for staff and better welfare packages, like what other similar agencies in the South-west offer.

Amotekun responded by accusing the officers of misconduct and called for their arrest. The officers then went into hiding and sought help from the court.

Despite this, Amotekun got a warrant for their arrest and labeled them wanted. The officers also approached the courts for protection. They said the agency had treated them poorly and caused them great suffering.

They argued that their families faced trauma, poverty, and hardship because of the agency's actions. But Amotekun rejected these claims, asking the officers to come forward and clear their names through the legal system.

Judgement

In the judgement, Olusegun Odusola, the chief judge of Ondo State, stated that "the Criminal Procedure Act, Section 35 allows courts, not agencies, to issue a formal 'public summons' declaring a person wanted."

He mentioned that Amotekun had already gotten a valid warrant of arrest from the court on 24 October 2025, just three days before declaring the officers wanted.

"Amotekun's warrant of arrest was lawful; the agency should have returned to court to change it into a formal public summons if an officer was avoiding service," the judge noted.

The court also dismissed a ₦5 million damages claim from the three officers. The judge said that Amotekun has a duty to keep discipline and punish officers accused of serious crimes like mutiny, conspiracy, and incitement against the state.

The judge criticized Abu Taiwo, one of the officers, saying he "cannot benefit from a situation partly created by his own misconduct."

The court recognized the "series of criminal allegations" against Taiwo, Victor, and Julius, as stated in Amotekun’s counter-affidavit. These included, "Absconding from duty post for over 30 days without permission; Inflammatory statements against the Corps; Conspiracy to violently invade the State House of Assembly; Governor’s Office, and Amotekun Headquarters; as well as inciting mutiny among serving officers; Defamation of character against Corps leadership; Conduct likely to cause breach of peace."

Mr Odusola reviewed social media evidence showing the officers and their alleged conspirators. He said the warrant of arrest from Amotekun Corps was justified. He added that "a person’s right to liberty may be impaired temporarily if there is reasonable suspicion that he has committed an offence."