FG Should Stop Sponsoring Muslims To Hajj, Lawyer Asks Court

Nwafili Okwuosa Esq, Legal Practitioner in Anambra, Human
Rights, and Constitutional cum Political Rights crusader has filed
another suit against Attorney General & Minister of Justice,
Federal Republic of Nigeria & National Hajj Commission of
Nigeria (NAHCON), challenging the sponsorship of Muslim pilgrims to
Hajj by Federal Government.

In the suit with NO: FHC/CS/AWK/112/2017 the plaintiff is
seeking the following reliefs:

A declaration that Section 10 of the 1999 Constitution (as
amended) forbids state religion and it is unconstitutional for the
Nigerian State to expend public funds in the aid, support and /or
sponsorship of any religion and /or its adherents.

A declaration that the provisions of the NAHCON Act stated above
offends the provisions of the Constitution which forbids state
religion.

An order of Court compelling the FG to withdraw everyone in the
employ of any government or government agency or department in
Nigeria from NAHCON and desist from further paying them salaries
and remuneration.

Perpetual injunction restraining the FG from sponsorship of the
activities of NAHCON.

The plaintiff in the suit argued that the National Hajj
Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) is responsible for the pilgrimage of
Muslim faithfuls to the Holy Land. And Section 10 of the 1999
Constitution (as amended) forbids state religion. When construed in
deference to the USA legal regime on all fours with our laws on
this it simply entails the State should have nothing to do with
religion in whatever guise.

He further avers that Section 3(1) of the NAHCON Act provides
that the Commission shall comprise representatives of these –
Aviation, Foreign Affairs, Internal Affairs, Finance, Health and
representative of the Central Bank of Nigeria. Sections 9(2) and
(4) of the NAHCON Act provides for emoluments of staff as
determined by the Commission and staff may be accepted by transfer,
secondment or deployment from any public service of the Federal,
State or Local Government approved establishments.

Nwafili also avers that Section 4(1)(a) -(k) of the NAHCON Act
provides that the Commission which depends on public funds shall
pay its staff, perform its functions, provide accommodation,
transportation, establish and manage camp as well as provide other
related services and equipment for Islamic pilgrims. Section 22 of
the NAHCON Act provides that not only shall the State Government
willy-nilly contribute public funds to the NAHCON, but also that
the latter could go on to claim and have the FG set off any unpaid
charge as a first line charge against the revenue accruable to any
state of the Federation which fails to surrender public funds under
her custody to NAHCON so that a handful of Muslim faithfuls could
fulfil their personal religious obligations.

The suit is fixed 6th Dec, for hearing

Nwafili Okwuosa Esq, Legal Practitioner in Anambra, Human
Rights, and Constitutional cum Political Rights crusader has filed
another suit against Attorney General & Minister of Justice,
Federal Republic of Nigeria & National Hajj Commission of
Nigeria (NAHCON), challenging the sponsorship of Muslim pilgrims to
Hajj by Federal Government.

In the suit with NO: FHC/CS/AWK/112/2017 the plaintiff is
seeking the following reliefs:

A declaration that Section 10 of the 1999 Constitution (as
amended) forbids state religion and it is unconstitutional for the
Nigerian State to expend public funds in the aid, support and /or
sponsorship of any religion and /or its adherents.

A declaration that the provisions of the NAHCON Act stated above
offends the provisions of the Constitution which forbids state
religion.

An order of Court compelling the FG to withdraw everyone in the
employ of any government or government agency or department in
Nigeria from NAHCON and desist from further paying them salaries
and remuneration.

Perpetual injunction restraining the FG from sponsorship of the
activities of NAHCON.

The plaintiff in the suit argued that the National Hajj
Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) is responsible for the pilgrimage of
Muslim faithfuls to the Holy Land. And Section 10 of the 1999
Constitution (as amended) forbids state religion. When construed in
deference to the USA legal regime on all fours with our laws on
this it simply entails the State should have nothing to do with
religion in whatever guise.

He further avers that Section 3(1) of the NAHCON Act provides
that the Commission shall comprise representatives of these –
Aviation, Foreign Affairs, Internal Affairs, Finance, Health and
representative of the Central Bank of Nigeria. Sections 9(2) and
(4) of the NAHCON Act provides for emoluments of staff as
determined by the Commission and staff may be accepted by transfer,
secondment or deployment from any public service of the Federal,
State or Local Government approved establishments.

Nwafili also avers that Section 4(1)(a) -(k) of the NAHCON Act
provides that the Commission which depends on public funds shall
pay its staff, perform its functions, provide accommodation,
transportation, establish and manage camp as well as provide other
related services and equipment for Islamic pilgrims. Section 22 of
the NAHCON Act provides that not only shall the State Government
willy-nilly contribute public funds to the NAHCON, but also that
the latter could go on to claim and have the FG set off any unpaid
charge as a first line charge against the revenue accruable to any
state of the Federation which fails to surrender public funds under
her custody to NAHCON so that a handful of Muslim faithfuls could
fulfil their personal religious obligations.

The suit is fixed 6th Dec, for hearing