The High Court of Ondo State, sitting in Akure, has ruled that the Ondo State Security Network Agency lacks the legal authority to declare any Nigerian citizen wanted.

The ruling followed suits filed by three suspended officers, Abu Taiwo, Akinsipe Victor, and Ekujimi Julius, who challenged their suspension and the declaration issued against them by the agency and its commandant, Adetunji Adeleye.

Delivering judgment on Monday, the Chief Judge of the state, A. O. Odusola, dismissed preliminary objections raised by the respondents, who had argued that the suits were incompetent and lacked merit.

The court held that the applicants had established a valid case concerning the enforcement of their fundamental rights.

On the main issue, the court ruled that the power to declare a citizen wanted is governed by law and must follow due process. It stated that the Amotekun Corps has no statutory backing to unilaterally make such declarations.

The court subsequently set aside the “wanted” declaration against the applicants, describing it as unlawful. However, it declined to award damages.

The judgment reinforces the principle that actions affecting the rights and reputation of citizens must be carried out strictly within the bounds of the law.