The Court noted that the plan by the Kaduna State government to issue licences to the pastors of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) using the Religious Regulatory Bill is a gross violation of their fundamental human rights, which guarantees freedom of association and freedom of religion.
The Court added that the passage of the religious bill is inconsistent with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).
The judge, Hon Justice D. Gwadah, while passing the ruling, said that the actions of the Kaduna State House of Assembly in proceeding to pass the bill into law despite the pending court proceedings and the subsisting court injunction restraining the action, “is an affront to this honourable court”.
The case was instituted by the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) Kaduna chapter since 2016 against Kaduna State Governor (Mallam Nasiru El-Rufai), Kaduna State House of Assembly and the Attorney General of Kaduna State over the Kaduna State Religious Regulatory Bill.
The lawyers representing the respondents, in reaction to the judgment, said that their clients will go higher, meaning Gov El-Rufai and the Kaduna State House of Assembly will appeal the judgement.
But Barr S. A. Akani (lead counsel to PFN), who briefly addressed the press after the ruling, expressed satisfaction over the judgment on behalf of his client, the PFN.
Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN, through its lead counsel, Barr S. A. Akani, had sought a declaration, among others that the establishment of Religious Preaching Regulatory Committees vide section 6(1) and (2) of bill for the Kaduna state religious preaching regulation law for the purpose of screening preachers and entertaining applications for preaching licences constitutes a blatant invasion of applicant’s fundamental right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion enshrined in section 38 (1) of the constitution and as such unlawful, illegal and unconstitutional.
from dailypost
Apparently, he lost the case. This case has been in court all along and I was surprised when last week or so the government of Kaduna state wanted to approve and enforce the bill. I said it last time, but it seems I was crying more than the bereaved.
ReplyDeleteDo people really know what that law actually means to Christians? There won't be Christmas Eve, Easter Eve, night vigils, crusade and all that anymore. For Christ sake, this is infringement of peoples fundamental human rights to worship as enshrined in the constitution, "the right of freedom to worship and peaceful assembly". I know it won't hold waters unless Nigeria has become a lawless state. How can a state licence the church or mosque? Does it even sound nice to the hearing? Just last week his Kano counterpart came up with his own plans of creating religious commission in the state. Do they really want the church to become political? I bet you whatever purpose it is won't serve a better and lasting solution to religious intolerance in the state.
Teejay why are you like this. Even Christians in Kaduna were happy about this bill. Why do you like blind arguements? Abegi!
DeleteI doubt the 'happy' Christians have thoroughly read the bill. If they are made to see its real effect, they'll understand better.
DeleteGod bless you anonymous 09:45. Miss Aboki do you know no Christian was involved in the commitee that drafted the plan for that bill? Do you think the Christian Association of Nigeria is stupid to have challenged that bill? Or is the court stupid that threw the bill away? I can swear, that bill is directed towards curtailing Christians in the northern part of Nigeria. They are using Kaduna as a test run. Don't you see shortly after Kaduna passed the bill, his Kano counterpart came up with the same ideology? If they succeed, Nigeria at large run by the northern Muslim may opt for that across the country as well.
DeleteSo unfortunate, most people aren't good students of history. Do you know how Christians lost Turkey? If they succeed in Kaduna, believe me all the northern state will follow suite. If El Rufai is a good man and have Christians in the state at heart, why did he chose a fellow Muslim as deputy in a state with mixed religion? People should read the hand written and understand that these people always plan extensively for years before finally conquering what they have in mind. El Rufai is an extremist and a Muslim fanatics and propagator. That bill won't serve its purpose but give Islam an edge over Christians. Take it or leave it.
Miss Aboki and her gullible arguments as usual
DeleteEl rufai is an individual i would love to have a 12 round slug with in the boxing ring,it would be a bare fist slug,a fight to the death, i would gladly beat him to death.
ReplyDeleteThis is the type of people Prof/SAN/Pastor Osibanjo is dining with.
ReplyDeleteWhat is wrong with this man?
ReplyDeleteShort man that will not respect his old age, Sabi Sabi governor.
ReplyDeleteI stand with Elrufai on this. If you have not lived in the North you wont understand.
ReplyDeleteBe careful with what you wish for,whatever the law he is trying to pass might sound right but there is more to this that meets the eye.don't joke with a jihadist they'll even kill their brother to make you think they're with you to achieve their aim
DeleteMiss Aboki I get your drift and understand where you are coming from even I support the passing of the bill.
Delete@Anonymous 9:59 keep saying what you don't know and have little knowledge, he is a jihadist because he passed a bill to regulate religious activities? A bill that might even stop muslims from blocking some roads to play, from using their loudspeaker to disturb your sleep in the morning? That would stop some Christian's from disturbing you with loud songs and vigil. Of course you wouldn't care about that since you are blinded with hatred for muslims!
Oh if only they know... Christians shouldn't be deceived again in an era like this. @09:59 you are absolutely right. I am still asking, why didn't El Rufai choose a Christian as deputy governor if he truly has Christians at heart? There mustn't be a bill or licence to control peace in Kaduna state, what are the duties of the police? Is just like saying all bloggers should be licenced or oversee by the government. Do you think any blogger will report government recklessness and dictatorship if that be the case? Christians should wake up, for they have been sleeping for too long.
Delete9:59, those issues u are referring to are the bits and pieces that divert from the real deal. There are extant laws in Nigeria already to handle such torts anyway, so the governor is either not reading or has some other agenda up his sleeve. When u leave government to wade into ppl's religious affairs, that's the beginning of politicization that leads down a dangerous road. Those who drafted the Constitution weren't daft. Certain things are better just left alone.
DeleteI stand with Elrufai on this. If you have not lived in the North you wont understand.
ReplyDeleteBe careful with what you wish for,na from clap dance dey start.whatever the law he is trying to pass might actually sound right but don't be carried away,there's more to this that meets the eye.don't joke with a jihadist
DeleteAnd to think that the vice president of this country is a Pentecostal pastor is a very big shame
ReplyDeleteShame is an understatement. A monumental disgrace to Christianity at large.
DeleteElrufai that has been 'mading' since...short man devil
ReplyDeleteSaying Christians in Kaduna were happy about this, is a very wrong generalisation.
ReplyDeleteTeejay is right about this man.
He has a hidden agenda, which he has been displaying occasionally.
His motive is wrong and God will not let him succeed.
And yes, I know a whole lot of Christian living in Kaduna,(infact, majority) who are against this and his evil agenda against the Christians.
The man is actually a fanatic.
Now I feel like changing my Duvet and bedsheets this minute. I read history and a very good one at that. I read in between lines and I know this wasn't a good move by a man who despises Christians openly. I don't need to be told about it. El Rufai and that bill can't control Islam, for Islam takes authority from Mecca but with that bill he can single handedly control the church and close any Christians church who opposes his style of governance. It will make Christians afraid to stand courageously for the truth.
DeleteAsk yourself where does the Christian churches takes its authority from aside the Catholic church we all know has the Pontiff as its head. Think people....
Very good!
ReplyDeleteIt is against their rights of worship. El rufai is an extremist Muslim why did he get a Muslim deputy if not to curtail the activities of the Christains. He should be stopped.
ReplyDeleteExactly!!! This is what I have been saying all along but some Nigerians hardly reason with their brain.
ReplyDeleteOrdinary human being playing 'god' until the day he comes face to face with the real God. El Rufai, El Rufai, El Rufai, how many times I call you?
ReplyDeleteAll of you beating your chests Christian this, christianity that. Once fight starts now because of hate speech by religious house, nobody is save irregardless of religion. Those that have lived and witness crisis in Kaduna, would support the bill. After the crisis, people become refugees and helpless, where the victims camp no body remembers been Christian or Muslim, they cook together and share things, and you will be left wondering was the essence of the crisis.
ReplyDeleteSo how does this deviate from the fact that the governor shd not be fanning the embers of further crisis? Read people! Take time to study things and understand for yourselves. Don't wait for some wishy washy explanation flying around on the streets by ppl who don't know better or have an agenda to serve.
DeleteTeeJay is right on this, He has just said what that bill is about. Pass a bill on noise pollution and being a nuisance.
ReplyDeleteThe Muslims close even major roads on friday, when they want to pass and NOBODY or vehicle can pass till WHENEVER they are done with their prayers. I witnessed it Kaduna to Abuja.