A Kaduna State High Court has ruled that the plan by the Kaduna State government to issue licences to the pastors of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria using the Religious Regulatory Bill is a gross violation of their fundamental human rights, which guarantees freedom of association and freedom of religion.
The judge, Hon Justice Gwadah further added that the actions of the Kaduna State House of Assembly in proceeding to pass the bill into law despite the pending court proceedings and the subsisting court injunction restraining the action, “is an affront to this honourable court”.
The declaration was made today, June 19, 2019 in a ruling on the case instituted by the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) Kaduna chapter since 2016 against Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasiru El-Rufai, Kaduna State House of Assembly and the Attorney General of Kaduna State over the Kaduna State Religious Regulatory Bill.
The lawyers representing the respondents, in reaction to the judgment said that their clients will go higher, meaning Gov El-Rufai and the Kaduna State House of Assembly will appeal the ruling.
Barr S. A. Akani the lead counsel to PFN on the other hand briefly addressed the press after the ruling and expressed satisfaction in the judgment on behalf of his client.