Headline

Constitution Amendment: PFN Warns NASS Against Islamisation Of Nigeria

Published

4 weeks ago

September 29, 2021

Editor

Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN, has warned the National Assembly against what it called “the islamisation of Nigeria through the backdoor.”

The PFN chairman, Enugu State Chapter, Bishop Giddy Madu, who gave this warning in a statement issued to pressmen in Enugu, said the PFN was aware of a move to smuggle in some amendments into the constitution.

The PFN said: “The attention of Nigerians is called to the dangerous proposals in the Senate and House of Representatives to alter sections 262(1) and 277(1) which provide respectively that, ‘The Sharia Court of Appeal shall, in addition to such other jurisdiction as may be conferred upon it by an Act of the National Assembly, exercise such appellate and supervisory jurisdiction in civil proceedings involving questions of Islamic personal law.”

It said this was an amendment to the existing provision that: “The Sharia Court of Appeal of a state shall, in addition to such other jurisdiction as may be conferred upon it by the law of the state, exercise such appellate and supervisory jurisdiction in civil proceedings involving questions of Islamic personal law which the court is competent to decide in accordance with the provisions of subsection (2) of this section.”

According to the Christian group, “The above provisions only permit Islamic Personal Law in civil proceedings. This is clearly defined in Sections 262(1) and (2) and 277(1) and (2). All references under these provisions are to ‘Islamic personal law.

“The proposed amendments elevate Islamic law to the status of ‘a general law. Once the word ‘personal’ is removed from Sections 262 and 277 of the Constitution, it opens the door for ‘the wholesale’ importation of Sharia Law, including Sharia Criminal Law into the FCT or any part of the federation.

“The proposed amendment will give the Sharia Court of Appeal unlimited jurisdiction to entertain all kinds of matters, both civil and criminal, using Islamic Law. It will interfere with the jurisdictions of both the Federal High Court and the State High Courts.”

PFN said the secularity of the Nigerian state as enshrined in the Constitution was sacrosanct and should not be tampered with.

“We vehemently reject the proposed amendment of Sections 266 and 267 of the Constitution, which spelt out the secularity of the nation and freedom of worship. It will lead to a situation where non-Muslims would be tried for Sharia offences.

“Such an amendment will make for an unhealthy breach of the human rights of the people, as the freedom of association of non-Muslims cannot be guaranteed under such circumstances.

“The PFN Enugu State is, therefore, calling on the National Assembly to reject in its entirety the proposed amendment of the sections above to avoid plunging Nigeria into an avoidable crisis.”

(VANGUARD)

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Headline

Drama As Ortom Busts Illegal Revenue Checkpoint In Benue, Arrests Operators [PHOTOS]

Published

10 hours ago

October 24, 2021

Editor

Luck ran out on a gang of illegal checkpoint operators at Abinsi, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State on Sunday, October 24, 2021, when Governor Samuel Ortom busted their operations.

Governor Ortom’s attention was drawn to the activities of the illegal revenue operators when he noticed the harassment of heavy-duty vehicles that were detained at the checkpoint on his way from Kwande Local Government.

He then ordered his convoy to stop to find out why many vehicles were parked at the checkpoint.

As soon as he alighted from his car, some of the youths at the checkpoint took to their heels.

He discovered, during an interaction with drivers of the vehicles, that the checkpoint operators were collecting money from motorists without issuing them receipts, a development that prompted the Governor to order the arrest of four of the operators who could not run.

The Governor directed that those who fled should also be apprehended and thoroughly investigated alongside the four suspects to unravel benefactors of the proceeds from their illegal collections.

He explained that within a very short time, the checkpoint operators collected more than N20,000 from the commuters without issuing them receipts.

Governor Ortom lamented that despite the collections, nothing goes to the government as such monies are diverted into private pockets for individual use.

DAILY POST reports that he vowed to sanction the management of the Board of Internal Revenue Service, BIRS, for failure to supervise and ensure the right thing was done.

Governor Ortom said he will henceforth, personally carry out surprise checks on the activities of checkpoint operators in the state.

The four suspects were then handed over to the Police for further investigation.

Post Views: 106

Headline

EFCC Grills Ex-Senate President

Published

11 hours ago

October 24, 2021

Editor

A former Senate President, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, is currently being grilled by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in a case of corruption and diversion of public funds.

Anyim who arrived the headquarters of the anti-graft agency in Jabi, Abuja at about 3pm, is currently being grilled by a team of operatives.

Though details of the specific allegations against the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, were sketchy as of press time, a source familiar with the case informed that, it is tied to the corruption and money laundering case involving former Aviation Minister and serving senator, Senator Stella Oduah.

Part of the rehabilitation funds to the tune of N780 million were allegedly traced to a company in which Senator Anyim has interest.

When contacted, Wilson Uwujaren, EFCC spokesman said he has not been briefed.

Post Views: 161

Headline

Mr. Macaroni Confronts Policemen Over Alleged 30k Extortion Of A Young Man

Published

11 hours ago

October 24, 2021

Editor

A video making the rounds shows actor, comedian and content creator, Mr. Macaroni (Debo Adedayo), confronting policemen over their dealings with a young man.

In the video, a young man carrying dreadlocks and backpack can be seen explaining to Mr. Macaroni that he was made to transfer N30,000 to an account by the officers.

Some of the officers then started pleading with the comedian-turned activist.

However, one of the policemen could be seen recording the person making the video in spite of his colleagues’ attempt to stop him.

Some youths that recognised Debo, stopped to ask what was happening.

One of the officers was heard telling them “kosi kan kan” (‘nothing is wrong/happening’).

On the body of a police Hilux truck packed at the scene was written “The Nigeria Police Ogudu Division”.

A source said the event was streamed live on Instagram by Mr. Macaroni.

The star was a key figure of the #EndSARS movement that climaxed with the Lekki Tollgate shootings.

Also, last Wednesday, which was the first anniversary of the infamous October 20, 2020 incident, saw Mr. Macaroni and other stars at Lekki Tollgate for a memorial.

Post Views: 177