Ebonyi Deputy Governor advocates establishment of ecclesiastical courts in Nigeria

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Uba Group

BY AGNES NWORIE,
ABAKALIKI
  

The Deputy Governor of Governor of Ebonyi State, Kelechi Igwe has called for establishment of Ecclesiastical Courts to resolve cases for Christians in accordance with the doctrines of Jesus Christ.

He made his feelings public at a dinner organised by the Christian Law Students Fellowship of Nigeria in Abakaliki recently.

He pointed out that there were Sharia and Customary Courts that tried cases involving Moslems and non-Christians respectively, but lamented that there were no Ecclesiastical Courts for Christians to approach for justice in accordance to the doctrines they believe.

He said, “as Christian Law Students what have you done to advance the course of the society. As a lawyer I am beginning to think about certain things and I quickly remembered that today we have Sharia law for the Muslims and Customary Courts for pagans. Why is it that we should have Christian lawyers and Christian Law students and we will not have Ecclesiastical Courts?”

The Deputy Governor opined that some procedures adopted by customary courts were repugnant to the Christian faith, and urged the students to use their national body to approach Houses of Assembly of their respective states to enact laws that would give birth to Ecclesiastical Courts in Nigeria.

He stressed the need for the Christian Law Students to be vocal in condemning the ills ravaging the society such as banditry, kidnapping and unnecessary sit-at-home orders.

He commended the National President of the LSFN, Lilian Orogwu for the manner she piloted the affairs of the group.

The National President, LSFN, Lilian Orogwu, said that the aim of the fellowship was to advance the course of Christianity and win souls for Christ.

She explained that membership was drawn from different institutions across the country and assured that they would continue to make meaningful contributions to the growth and development of the country.