By Amos Tauna
Kaduna (Nigeria) — Christian Lawyers Fellowship of Nigeria (CLASFON), has frowned at Nigeria’s membership of the Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC) and other Islamic bodies.
It described Nigeria’s membership to the religious organisations as a violation of the country’s constitution.
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), had asked for the withdrawal of the country from membership of all international religious bodies.
A communique issued Tuesday, by the Lawyers Fellowship President, Arome Okwori and Secretary General, Tunji Omole in Kaduna, northern Nigeria, at the end of its meeting in Abuja, said CLASFON aligns itself with the position of CAN.
It noted that as a secular nation, Nigeria should not belong to any religious association.
It explained, “We therefore lend our voice in support of CAN for the federal government to recognise the secular status of Nigeria by withdrawing the country from membership of these religious organisations.”
The communique also frowned at the scrapping of the Customary Court of Appeal in Nasarawa State by a mere executive pronouncement by Governor Tanko Almakura, saying his action “constitutes flagrant disregard of the constitution and respect for the rule of law”.
The Fellowship called on the governor to retract his pronouncement and act within the ambits of the law.
It decried the increasing insecurity in the country, occasioned by kidnapping, armed robbery and invasion of communities by killer herdsmen and called on the federal government to take urgent and definite steps to tackle these heinous crime.
It also urged the federal government to fish out the criminals, particularly the killer herdsmen that have been terrorising and unleashing mayhem on many communities with a view to bringing them to justice and compensate the victims of such brutal attacks.
CLASFON also condemned the abduction and force marriage of underage girls in some northern states, saying the nonchalant attitude of government towards such brazen abuse of the fundamental human rights of the victims, is unacceptable.
“CLASFON observes with grave concern the levity with which the government and its agencies treat the abduction of young girls in northern region of the country, where they are forced into early marriages.
“We believe this is an infringement of the fundamental human rights of the young girls, as well as a criminal offence.
“We therefore demand proper investigation and prosecution of the perpetrators of this act no matter their position in the society,” the communique said.
