Former Ogun State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lanre Ogunlesi SAN, has called on the federal government to enhance security system in the country through setting up an outfit managed by competent and tested Nigerian for disbursement of security funds as at when needed.

In an interview with Vanguard Law and Human Rights, Ogunlesi said government alone could not ensure security or fund it, adding that it would be better if the government could appeal to the generality of the people, most especially the wealthy ones.

“President Goodluck Jonathan has earmarked some money for the Ministry of Defence, but how far do we know if it gets to people fighting this insecurity. Maybe he can set up a security system managed by competent and tested Nigerian for disbursement of funds as at when needed,” he stated.

According to him “You do not have to provide police escort for yourself because if you run into a mob, they will not be able to protect you. But if you adequately support by giving funds to government to purchase vehicles and other gadgets for the police, and to a large extent, the military, it will enhance the security system in the country.

“If you look at it, we operate a federal system. When we operate a federal system, it does not mean that the state should not support security. I am aware that the police is not state police. But when an armed robber attacks your house, the first thing you do is to protect yourself, secure your family before calling outsiders to come to your aid. You do not leave the responsibility to federal government alone. They too need the support of the state and individuals to tackle insecurity.”

He opined that if corruption was tackled by government at all level in the same way the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) was tackled, it would have been eradicated.

Urging Nigerians to be resolute in fighting corruption, the senior advocate said: “if courts are also resolute in conducting a speedy trial for corrupt official, corruption can be tackled properly. For instance, there is yet to be any conclusion on any of the cases of corruption preferred against some governors. Why should a case of corruption be dragged for over five years?”

On the need to fast tracking trial of corruption cases, he advised the federal government to take a queue from the Lagos State Government, by creating a special court and delegate special judges to preside over matters bothering on corruption.