By Mike Nnebife
A Labour Party governorship aspirant for the 2025 gubernatorial election in Anambra State, Hon Valentine Ozigbo, has criticized the Anambra Homeland Security Law, saying the law not only lacks in effective step towards enhancing security but also has negative economic implications on the people and businesses in the state.
Hon Ozigbo, who said this in a statement issued to the press, also suggested ways to address the flaws he found in the law to make it effective.
Ozigbo said, ‘The enactment of the Anambra State Homeland Security Law, 2025, by the State House of Assembly is a lacklustre step towards enhancing security in the state.
‘Its introduction, three years into Governor Soludo’s administration – a tenure marked by numerous killings and kidnappings never seen before in the state – raises pertinent questions about its timing and effectiveness.
‘While the law may have the objective to tackle crime and improve safety, a thorough review reveals fundamental flaws.
‘These shortcomings render it outdated, overly punitive, economically harmful, and prone to abuse.’
Noting that the Anambra Homeland Security Law conflicted with the Nigerian Constitution, Ozigbo said, it conferred quasi-policing powers on the Agunechemba security outfit, such as patrolling, making arrests, and conducting investigations.
According to him, those duties were the exclusive preserve of the Nigeria Police Force.
‘Clause 5(5) of the law permits security personnel to enter private residences without a warrant, violating constitutional rights to privacy (Section 37) and property (Section 44).
‘This provision undermines the Rule of Law and exposes citizens to arbitrary intrusions,’ he added.
He further said the Clause 13 of the law requiring community leaders to submit monthly reports was not only impractical, but also diverted the attention of the community leaders from their primary responsibilities.
‘Clause 14 mandating landlords and hotel owners to collect and verify detailed personal information from tenants and guests, and to install surveillance cameras, imposes undue financial and administrative burdens.
‘These requirements are especially unrealistic for small businesses and rural communities,’ he maintained.
‘The law lacks adequate provisions to ensure transparency and accountability in its implementation.
‘While the Attorney General is empowered to review certain cases (Clause 17), this measure is insufficient to prevent potential abuse by Agunechemba operatives.
‘The absence of robust oversight mechanisms leaves citizens vulnerable to injustice,’ the frontline Anambra gubernatorial aspirant stressed.
‘The timing of the law’s introduction raises concerns about its potential use as a political tool,’ the aspirant observed.
He feared that by granting overwhelming control of Agunechemba to the Governor, the law could be exploited to intimidate opposition figures and dissenting voices.
‘Anambra State, known for its vibrant political culture, must remain vigilant against any attempt to erode democratic principles under the guise of security enforcement,’ Ozigbo stated.
To address these challenges and make the law effective, Ozigbo suggested among others that, ‘Agunechemba should be aligned with Constitutional Provisions and focus on intelligence gathering and community engagements.’
