The Ondo State Security Network agency codenamed Amotekun corps, on Monday, this week suspended three of its officers for gross misconduct which is capable of undermining the security of the state and agency also declared the officers wanted as they are currently on the run.
The suspended officers are; Abu Taiwo, Akinsipe Victor and Ekujumi Julius.
The State Commander of the corps, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye announced that the suspension would enable the agency to carry out proper investigations into allegations levelled against the officers.
Contrary to insinuation on social media, the officers were not suspended for asking for appointment letters and improved welfarism.
Here are the analysis of offences allegedly committed by the three of them at different times;
A. OFFENCES UNDER THE CRIMINAL CODE ACT (Cap. C38 LFN 2004)
1.Attempted Armed Robbery:
On or about the 23rd day of October, 2025, Julius Ekujuni while armed with a knife, attempted to dispossess the Corps Public Relations Officer of his official operation radio to dispossess the Corps Public Relations Officer of his official operation radio. Punishment for an attempt to rob is punishable upon conviction to imprisonment for not less than fourteen years but not more than twenty years.
Defamation/Criminal Libel
Sections 373–375 of the Criminal Code prohibit the publication of defamatory matters likely to injure the reputation of another by exposing him to hatred, contempt, or ridicule.
Their unfounded allegations of stealing, gun running, hiring assassins, and taking bribes from kidnappers clearly constitute criminal defamation (libel). Each Facebook post or video repeating such claims counts as a separate publication.
Insult to a Public Officer/Conduct Likely to Cause a Breach of Peace
Section 249 (d) punishes any person who conducts himself in a manner likely to cause a breach of the peace or disturb public order. The punishment is imprisonment for one month. Publicly maligning the Commander and threatening other officers could provoke unrest or loss of discipline within the Corps.
Threats to Kill or Cause Harm
Section 323: Any person who, without lawful excuse, threatens to kill another is guilty of a felony and liable to imprisonment for 7 years. Their threats “to kill anyone who tries to arrest them” clearly fall under this provision.
Disobedience to Lawful Order of a Public Authority/Inciting Mutiny
Section 203 criminalises disobedience to lawful order issued by a public authority. The offender is liable to imprisonment for one year. Since the Corps operates under a statutory law (the Ondo State Security Network Agency and Amotekun Corps Law, 2020), disobeying suspension and continuing to parade in uniform amounts to this offence.
Personating Public Officers
Section 484: Any person who, not being a public officer, represents himself as such or assumes to act in such capacity is guilty of a misdemeanour.
After suspension, appearing publicly in uniform and claiming to be officers of the Corps constitutes impersonation.
Seditious or Insurrectionary Acts / Incitement of Disaffection
Sections 50 and 51 prohibit acts or publications inciting hatred, contempt, or disaffection against government or constituted authority.
Their videos and online comments attempting to discredit the Corps and its Commander amount to seditious intention.
B. OFFENCES UNDER THE CYBERCRIMES (PROHIBITION, PREVENTION, ETC.) ACT, 2015
1.Cyberstalking/Cyberbullying
Section 24(1): Any person who knowingly or intentionally sends a message via computer or social media that is grossly offensive, false, or causes annoyance, insult, intimidation, hatred, or ill will, commits an offence.
Their Facebook posts and videos falsely accusing the Commander of crimes clearly violate this section.
Punishment: Up to 3 years imprisonment or ₦7 million fine, or both.
2.Spreading False Information
Section 24 (2) criminalises the transmission of false information or messages knowing them to be false, for the purpose of causing annoyance, inconvenience, danger, or harm.
Their allegations that the Commander collected training emoluments without payment fall here.
3.Cyber Threats / Intimidation Online
Threats to kill or attack, when made through digital means, aggravate the offence under Sections 24 and 26, which cover intimidation and cyber harassment.
The State High Court does not have jurisdiction to prosecute offence under the CYBERCRIMES (PROHIBITION, PREVENTION, ETC.) ACT, 2015. The Court with jurisdiction is the Federal High Court.
C. OTHER RELEVANT LEGAL INSTRUMENT: ONDO STATE SECURITY NETWORK AGENCY AND AMOTEKUN CORPS (DISCIPLINARY REGULATIONS) 2024
Internet Bullying and Cyber Misconductis a misconduct that is punishable with detention, court martial, and dismissal.
Leaving duty post without proper handing over, Maximum of 5 Days detention.
Absence from duty without permission: Absent for more of 15 days is a gross misconduct that attracts termination of appointment.
Ekujuni Julius
In particular, Ekujuni Julius has a longstanding record of gross indiscipline. He has previously been issued multiple queries for attempted murder, assault, unlawful wounding of fellow officers, and wilful destruction of government property. The Corps had at one time resolved to prosecute him in court, but this was deferred following the intervention of family members and influential sponsors. The Query, letters, Undertaking by Family, and Charge Sheet are hereby attached and marked as Annexure 1 for ease of reference.
Victor Akinsipe
Similarly, Victor Akinsipe has a history of gross misconduct and insubordination. He previously headed the Communication and Surveillance Unit of the Agency, overseeing sensitive communication equipment, including radio messaging systems and tactical surveillance devices. However, in the course of four consecutive field operations, our operatives were unexpectedly ambushed—incidents which, upon forensic analysis, revealed tactical compromises traceable to the Agency’s communication network.
Following internal queries, the said officer was directed to surrender communication codes and access protocols to enable the redesign of the compromised systems, but he bluntly refused to comply. Consequently, he was redeployed, and the Agency had to discard the existing hardware and develop an entirely new communication structure to safeguard future operations.
It is also pertinent to note that this same officer had earlier reported the loss of a surveillance drone of the Corps under suspicious circumstances while it was under his custody. In recent months, credible intelligence suggests that he has been associating with certain disgruntled operatives—some of whom have questionable backgrounds, including one ex-militant engaged for his local intelligence value.
Earlier on, there was a report and allegation that Victor Akinsipe actions and omissions led to the theft of a government utility vehicle about two or three years ago. The queries, responses and letters of warning to Victor Akinsipe are hereby attached and marked as Annexure 2 for ease of reference.
Written by: AUSTIN MOGBOJURI,
Public Affairs Analyst
