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 (PFN) using the Religious Regulatory Bill is a gross violation of their fundamental human rights, which guarantees freedom of association and freedom of religion.
Thus, inconsistent with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended). Therefore it is hereby declared illegal.
The Judge, Hon Justice D. 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”.
This was declared on Wednesday 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 Governor Nasir El-Rufai and the Kaduna State House of Assembly will appeal the ruling.
However, Barr S. A. Akani (Lead Counsel to PFN) who briefly addressed the Press after the ruling, expressed satisfaction in the judgment on behalf of his client, the PFN.
