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Lawmaker’s Islamic Bill Divides Southern, Northern Reps

Published

9 months ago

October 26, 2024

Editor

The House of Representatives has rejected a bill seeking the expansion of the provision for Islamic law in the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

The bill, sponsored by the member representing Misau/Dambam Federal Constituency, Bauchi State, Aliyu Misau, sought to amend sections 24, 262, 277, and 288 of the 1999 constitution by removing the word ‘personal’ wherever it is mentioned from the section, allowing ‘Islamic law’ to stand on its own.

Section 262 (1) of the constitution provides 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.”

Leading the debate on the general principles of the bill, the Peoples Democratic Party lawmaker noted that the inclusion of the word ‘personal’ after ‘Islamic’ restricts its application, particularly in Islamic commercial laws.

He said, “The 1999 constitution provided for personal Islamic law. The constitution did not envisage the dynamism and development that may come into the country. For instance, in 2003, the constitution did not foresee the advent of Jaiz Bank, which operates under commercial Islamic law.”

He called for the removal of the word ‘personal’ in the interest of Islamic commercial law and Islamic international law, among others.

Although northern lawmakers had a soft spot for the proposed legislation during the debate, they met stiff opposition from their southern counterparts.

In his contribution, the member representing Ahoada East/Abua/Odual Federal Constituency, Rivers State, Solomon Bob, opposed the bill, stating that any amendment to the sections would expand the application of Islam Law beyond the ‘personal matters’ envisaged by the drafters of the 1999 constitution.

He said, “The implication is that if the word ‘personal’ is removed, Islamic Law would have broader implications. The word ‘personal’ was put there for a reason.”

On his part, the lawmaker representing Wudil/Garko Federal Constituency, Kano State, Abdulhakeem Ado, argued in favour of the bill, stating that Islamic Commercial Law needed to be sustained.

The duo of Saidu Abdullahi and Ahmed Satomi from Niger and Borno States respectively supported the proposed law.

The trio of Jonathan Gaza, Ademorin Kuye and Awaji-Inombek Abiante from Nasarawa, Lagos and Rivers States, respectively, called kicked against the proposed legislation.

Also speaking, a PDP lawmaker from Osun State, Bamidele Salam, opposed the bill and called for restraint in matters of religion given Nigeria’s secular state status.

He said, “As students of history, we all know the background of this particular section during the various constitutional assemblies of 1979, 1989, and 1999. The drafters of the Constitution were highly sensitive to religion.

“At the 1979 Constitutional Assembly, this particular section was very contentious until the military intervened to halt further debate, stating that the application of Islamic law would be restricted to personal matters like estates.

“We must be careful with any changes to the constitution that could further widen divisions in Nigeria. In any case, the matters my colleague seeks to address are already covered by existing laws.”

When subjected to a voice vote by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, majority of the lawmakers present at the plenary session rejected it.
PUNCH,

Related Topics:House of Representatives NAAS NASS

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17-year-old Nigerian Named World Best In English At 2025 TeenEagle Finals In London

Published

15 hours ago

August 5, 2025

Editor

…Outperforms over 20,000 participants from 69 countries

Nafisa Aminu, a 17-year-old student of Tulip International College, Yobe State, has emerged world’s best in English at the 2025 TeenEagle Global Finals.

The 17-year-old was named the World Best in English Language Skills at the 2025 TeenEagle Global Finals held in London, United Kingdom.

The TeenEagle competition is an internationally recognised contest that tests English proficiency, critical thinking, and communication skills, attracting students from both English-speaking and non-English-speaking nations.

Nafisa’s triumph was confirmed in a statement by the head of her family, Hassan Salifu, who attributed her success to “dedication, discipline, and the enabling support of the state government.”

Representing Nigeria, Nafisa outperformed over 20,000 participants from 69 countries, a historic feat that has thrust her into the global academic spotlight and brought honour to Nigeria.

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FG Promotes 30 Senior NCoS Officers To Assistant Controller General

Published

15 hours ago

August 5, 2025

Editor

The Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board has approved the promotion of 30 senior officers of the Nigerian Correctional Service to the rank of Assistant Controller General of Corrections.

The announcement was made in a press statement signed by the NCoS spokesperson Umar Abubakar, on Tuesday.

“The Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board has approved the promotion of 30 Controllers of Corrections to the prestigious rank of Assistant Controller General of Corrections,” the statement read.

Abubakar noted that the promotions were made in line with CDCFIB’s commitment to “merit-based advancement, professional excellence, and the continuous strengthening of leadership within the Nigerian Correctional Service.”

“Among the newly promoted officers are twenty-seven general duty officers who have demonstrated exceptional dedication, leadership, and operational competence in various formations across the country.

“In addition, three professional officers have also been elevated in recognition of their outstanding service and specialized contributions in the areas of Medical Laboratory Science, Nursing, and Public Health,” the statement read.

According to the statement, the promotion exercise was said to align with the ongoing reforms in the Service, a key part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The statement credited the reform momentum to the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, whose efforts were described as “unwavering” and “unprecedented.”

Controller General of Corrections, Sylvester Nwakuche, congratulated the newly promoted officers, charging them to rise to the responsibilities of their new roles.

“I urge them to redouble their effort to service delivery, strategic leadership, and the core mandates of reformation, rehabilitation, and reintegration of inmates,” he said.

He further stressed that the promotions are not merely rewards for past service but “a call to higher responsibility in line with global best practices in correctional management.”

“The Service remains committed to building a motivated, disciplined, and professional workforce capable of meeting the complex demands of modern corrections and public safety,” Nwakuche added.

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Adeleke Flies To US For Davido’s Wedding

Published

15 hours ago

August 5, 2025

Editor

Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has travelled to the United States to attend the wedding ceremony of his nephew and music star, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido.

Recall, Davido confirmed that he and his wife, Chioma Avril Rowland, will have their white wedding in Miami, Florida, in August 2025.

He made the announcement during an interview on The Breakfast Club, aired on Tuesday, April 8, 2025.

The governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, confirmed Adeleke’s trip in a statement issued on Tuesday, in response to concerns raised by the opposition All Progressives Congress over the governor’s whereabouts.

“Governor Adeleke left Nigeria for the United States via the family’s private jet a few days ago for the wedding of the global music icon, his beloved nephew, David Adeleke.

“His Excellency is extending an invitation to the opposition party to attend the event and share in the joy of the occasion with the Adeleke family.

“Those unable to attend may join virtually,” Rasheed stated.

He noted that Adeleke had not taken any official vacation since assuming office in November 2022 and said the current trip would be short.

“Additionally, from the November 2022 date, the governor has not gone on official vacation.

“For this current trip, the Governor has again chosen to make it a short one to continually attend to crucial state functions.

“Meanwhile, the Governor is in constant communication with his deputy, Prince Kola Adewusi, who is supervising activities of the government,” Rasheed added.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Osun APC had accused Adeleke of leaving the state without informing residents or formally transmitting power to his deputy. The party described the governor’s absence as “abnormal.”

In a statement signed by its spokesperson, Kola Olabisi, the party said, “The question being asked in hushed tones in some public places, inside commercial buses and by motorcycle riders and their passengers in the state, is where could be the whereabouts of their governor for this long.

“As the governor of all and sundry, we as a party need to know the whereabouts of the governor and who has been holding fort for him during his absence from the state since two weeks ago.

“Did the governor duly transmit power to his deputy who is constitutionally covered to temporarily step into the shoes of his principal in his absence?”