The Kogi State House of Assembly has passed an amended Bill for a law to establish the Sharia Court of Appeal in Kogi State.
Leading debate on the Report of the Judiciary, Justice, Legal matters and Protocols Committee on the Bill, the Chairman Hon. (Barr) Henry Ojuola said following the second reading of the bill and the passage of same to the committee, certain facts were observed which must be made known to the House for information and clarity purpose.
According to him, substantive Sharia Court of Appeal Law had been in existence from the Northern Nigeria Government Law no 186 of 1963 which commenced on 30th September, 1960.
Hon. Ojuola further stated that passing a new Law to establish a Sharia Court of Appeal in Kogi State as at today, therefore does not arise, adding that amendments are needed to be carried out where necessary.
The Lawmaker said that the Committee through its research, observed that almost all the Northern States have re-enacted the binding substantive Sharia Court of Appeal Law of 1963, adding that the re-enacted or amended Sharia Court of Appeal Laws of some states in the Northern part of the country were obtained and understudied.
Hon. Ojuola further stated that in order to smoothen the development of the laws, the Committee has made some amendments which made the reading of the Law 2015 as a e-enactment and not as a fresh law.
Amongst amendments proposed in the Report include the interpretation clause contains 26 sections, the current one being presented has 28 sections in order to take care of at least ancillary matters, section 7 amends the age of 62 to 65 years of service for any Kadi.
He maintained that the amendments sought are very few from the original substantive law which raises no eye brow but to ensure adequate justice for people of Muslim faith in the state.
The Majority Leader, Hon. Yakubu Yunusa moved a motion for the House to move the Committee of the Whole House for clause by clause deliberation of the bill which was seconded by Hon Yori Afolabi.
After the clause by clause deliberation, the house through a voice unanimously to passed the bill for the governor’s assent.
Culled from The Graphic
