The Nigerian House of Representatives passed for second reading, a bill to provide for the establishment of the Ecclesiastical Court of Appeal in the country.
Presenting the bill during plenary, Rep. Gyang Dung said that the Ecclesiastical courts, when established, would complement the regular courts in adjudicating in matters relating to the tenets of the Christian faith. The Ecclesiastical court shall exercise such appellate and supervisory jurisdiction in civil proceedings involving questions of Ecclesiastical law and Christian personal law. He said that Cardinal who will serve as judges of the Ecclesiastical court shall be drawn from those learned in the law.
This legislation is clearly in response to a Bill to increase the Jurisdiction of the Sharia Court of Appeal of the Federal Capital Territory and the Sharia Court of Appeal of a State by including Criminal Matters of Hudud and qisas and for Other Related Matters.
In essence, the Christian and Muslims lawmakers have presented bills to introduce separate courts for Nigerians based on their faith.
we should ask, who will pay for these courts? if indeed these courts are introduced and upgraded, they will come under the purview of the Federal and State Government in terms of funding of say salaries of the Cardinals and Imams who will oversee and pass judgement. They will need buildings, cars clerks, budgets for feeding and entertainment, etc etc Do we need this new expenditure?
What is the criteria for a new court? will we also have traditional courts for Nigerians who are not Muslim or Christian? and do not want to follow the Common Law?, will they also get courts? can we have gender specific courts? will women ask for courts to adjudicate gender issues?
Which courts takes precedence? both Islam and Christianity frown on Usury, will a Nigerian be able to sue his bank in the these religious courts for charging him interest.
we have to take these decisions based on wider criteria, can we afford these new amendments? at this time? are they really what is important at this time.
i think not….
(Photo Credit: Philosophical Reflections)
