Dr. Nwankwo Nwaezeigwe Drags Present Top Nigerian Leaders To Court For Alleged Islamization Of The Country
President Muhammad Buhari, Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki and Speaker of House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, have been dragged to the Federal High Court, Asaba, Delta State, over allegation of attempting to Islamize the country.
Also joined as defendants in the suit are the Attorney General of the Federation, Alhaji Abubakar Malami and the National Assembly. Dr. Nwankwo Nwaezeigwe, who is suing for himself and on behalf of members of Nigeria Civil War and Genocide Research Network, alleged that the Buhari’s Presidency was out to Islamize the country.
Counsel to the plaintiffs, Kelechi Nnadi said that the case was filed in pursuant of the fundamental human rights of his clients. In the suit, the plaintiffs are asking the court to determine whether a five point alleged infractions of the Nigeria constitution does not amount to a violation of the constitution and an attempt to Islamize Nigeria.
They listed the five grounds to include; “whether Nigeria’s continuous membership of Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, IOC, is not a violation of provisions of section 10 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended);
“Whether Nigeria’s membership of the Islamic Military Alliance to Fight against Terrorism does not derogate from the provisions of section 10 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) which proclaims Nigeria as a secular state;
“Whether Nigeria’s continuous membership of Development ‘8’ otherwise called (Eight Developing Islamic Countries) is not a clear violation of the provisions of Section 10 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) Nigeria being a secular State;
“Whether Nigeria’s continuous membership of Islamic Development Bank is not a clear violation of provisions of Section 10 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) Nigeria being a secular state;
“Whether Islamic Bond otherwise known as SUKUK of funds from Islamic Development Bank can validly be used to fund the 2016 budget deficit by the Federal Government of Nigeria having regards to the secularity of the Nigerian State.” They are praying the court to nullify or declare the cessation of Nigeria’s membership of Organization of Islamic Conference, OIC, Islamic Military Alliance to Fight Terrorism, Development or Developing Islamic Countries and Islamic Development Bank.
They also want the court to restrain the defendants particularly the President and Attorney General from further enlisting Nigeria into membership of any organisation meant solely for Islamic countries or any organisation bearing any religious connotation. Meanwhile, further hearing in the matter has been adjourned till September 29, before the trial judge, Justice A. Faji.
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