CLASFON calls for Ecclesiastical Courts, LIREC in Lagos

Admin l Sunday, August 15, 2021

 

LAGOS, Nigeria – The Christian Lawyers Fellowship of Nigeria (CLASFON) has called for the establishment of Ecclesiastical Courts in Lagos State to adjudicate on issues relating to marriage, divorce, custody of children and inheritance in behalf of Christians. #ecclesiasticalcourts

CLASFON made the call when members of the association paid a courtesy call on Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa.

In an address presented by Prince Okey-Joe Onuakalusi,  CLASFON called for amendment  of the Section 22(3) of the Customary Law of Lagos State, which already makes provision for a court to adjudicate on Islamic laws to  introduce Section 22(4) as follows, “the Lagos State Judicial Service Commission may designate a court  to adjudicate on Christian Law and matters in  relation to marriage, divorce, custody and inheritance as it deems fit”.

According to CLASFON, The Holy Bible bars interfaith disputes between Christians from being adjudicated upon in regular courts hence the need for amendment of Section 22(3).

Section 22(3) of the Customary Law of Lagos State provides that the Lagos State Service Commission “may designate a court to adjudicate on Islamic Law and matters in relation to marriage, divorce, custody and inheritance as it deems fit”.

CLASFON also called for introduction of Legislative Intervention and Review Committee, LIREC to monitor laws passed by the House of Assembly, provision of rail system and pipe- born water in Lagos state, introduction of effective measures for ease of doing business and measures for the decongestion of traffic especially with regards to the menace of articulated vehicles on Lagos roads.

In response to the CLASFON address, Obasa described CLASFON’s presentation as a reminder to what the House of Assembly is already doing. The speaker mentioned that the 1999 Nigerian constitution is a clog in the wheel of progress in the provision of rail system and adequate security personnel for the implementation of laws passed by the house of assembly. He encouraged professional bodies like CLASFON to continue to seek ways for greater collaboration with the House particularly in the area of town hall meetings and other forms of meetings.

Concerning the establishment of Ecclesiastical court for Christians, the Speaker assured CLASFON that work is already in progress for the amendment of the Customary Law of Lagos state. According to him, that law is an old law that needs amendment.

The CLASFON delegation who were introduced by Prince Okey-Joe Onuakalusi are – Mr Timothy Abiodun Tugbiyele, Prof Bankole Sodipo, Mrs Honour Onyebuchi, Prince Okey-Joe Onuakalusi, Mr Lawrence C. Nnoli and Ms Busola Ajala.#ecclesiasticalcourts