A BILL TO ESTABLISHED CHRISTAIN COURT PASSED SECOND READING.

The bill for establishment of the Ecclesiastical Court of Appeal has passed second reading at the House of Representatives.

Sponsored by Rep. Gyang Dung (PDP-Plateau) and eight others, the bill said the Ecclesiastical courts when established would complement the regular courts in adjudicating in matters relating to the tenets of the Christian faith.


“It will bring to reality the administration of Ecclesiastical Christian tenets and law in adjudicating matters of personal Christian law and civil matters," Rep. Dung said.

“These shall be prescribed in the rule of practice and procedure of the Ecclesiastical courts.’’

Dung emphasised that the amendment would activate section 37 (1) of the 1999 constitution which guaranteed the right of every citizen to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.

“It will also entails freedom to propagate one’s religion or belief in worship, teaching, practice and observance,’’ Dung said.

He said that Cardinal who will serve as judges of the Ecclesiastical court shall be drawn from those learned in law. They shall be required to administer justice in accordance with the Christian faith and the law of the nation.

Speaker, House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogara referred the bill to the Special ad hoc Committee on the Review of the 1999 constitution.