Dupe Olaoye-Osinkolu/
The South West Command of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) is set to take a legal action against a former member of the organization who allegedly impersonated its Commandant General at the Senate’s public hearing of the VGN bill.
The group also seeks a speedy passage of the VGN bill, sponsored by the founder of the security outfit, Alhaji Ali Sokoto, who doubles as Commandant General of the organization, into law.
Seeking legal advice at the Falana & Falana Chamber in Lagos yesterday, the crime fighters were particularly miffed because the former member, Alhaji Usman Mohammed Jahun, who parted ways with the organization in 2009, reportedly appeared at the National Assembly during the public hearing of the VGN bill last year and tried to hijack it.
The South West Command vowed to resist every internal and external intrigue aimed at subverting the position and authority of the Commandant General, saying every member must be loyal to Alhaji Ali Sokoto who has provided enabling environment and good leadership for the security outfit over the years. They were led to the Chamber by the National Chief of Staff, Chief Jimoh Aliu.
In their address delivered by the Ondo State Commandant, Pastor Akinwunmi Oluwole Gideon, they sought legal advice from Barrister Femi Falana (SAN) towards bringing Jahun, who was earlier disclaimed in a national newspaper, to book. The human rights lawyer collected their documents and promised to peruse them. He further advised that the VGN should always publicize its worthwhile activities so that individuals and establishments would know the giant strides that it has been taking, hence, use their services.
Falana said, “Nigeria is under-policed, you should take advantage of the security lapse and popularize your activities through adequate publicity.”
The Deputy Senate Leader, Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah said, in a December 20, 2016 letter addressed to “The General Public” (Copy of which is available at the National Assembly website) that Alhaji Ali Sokoto is the owner of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria Bill, “which we passed at the first and second reading, for the past month, with its own certificate of Corporate Affairs”.
The Senator further explained that Jahun submitted a bill which was thrown out.
He said, “The Bill you (Jahun) forwarded to us was Nigeria Vigilante and Community Service Corp. And we rejected the Bill. Please stop deceiving people that we have made you Commandant General. No, we have not. And you are not the CG, right? And if you have collected money from your members, and lying to them, please stop, ok? And refund their money back to them.”
The South West Command also appealed to the South West governors for necessary support towards effective combating of crime in the zone. They recalled how they have ensured the arrests of deadly criminals and burst many robberies and kidnap gangs.
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