TheCable

The Christian Lawyers Fellowship of Nigeria (CLASFON) says Nigeria’s membership of the Organisation of Islamic Countries and other religious organisations is a violation of the constitution.

In a statement issued in Kaduna on Tuesday, the group said it’s in accord with Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) who recently called for Nigeria’s withdrawal of its membership of all international religious bodies.

“We therefore lend our voice in support of CAN for the federal government to recognise the secular status of Nigeria by withdrawing the country from membership of these religious organisations,” the statement read.

Making reference to specific cases they say violate the constitution, the group mentioned the scrapping of the customary court of appeal in Nassarawa by Tanko Almakura, governor of the state.

CLASFON said Almakura’s actions “constitute flagrant disregard of the constitution and respect for the rule of law”.

The group also cited the abduction and forced marriage of underage girls in some northern states, saying the government should do more to bring offenders to book.

“CLASFON observes with grave concern the levity with which the government and its agencies treat the abduction of young girls in the northern region of the country, where they are forced into early marriages,” the statement further read.

“We believe this is an infringement of the fundamental human rights of the young girls as well as being a criminal offence.

“We therefore demand proper investigation and prosecution of the offenders no matter their position in the society.”