CAMA Controversy: Go To Court, Sultan, Ayokunle-led NIREC Tells Aggrieved Parties

As controversy continue to trail the new clauses introduced to the amended Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) recently signed by President Muhammadu Buhari, the Nigerian Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) has called on individuals or groups with reservations to the new law to seek legal or legislative solutions to their grievances.

NIREC, which is co-chaired by the Sultan of Sokoto and President General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, and the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Samson Supo Ayokunle, made the call in a statement on Monday.

THE WHISTLER reports that the aspect of the new law that has continued to generate reactions pertains to the regulation of churches and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the country.

Prominent pastors and Christian religious bodies had opposed the new provision that churches and charity organizations should now be regulated by the registrar of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and a supervising minister.

But reacting to the controversies, NIREC called for objectivity and civility in trying to resolve the problem.

Speaking in the statement signed by its Executive Secretary, Fr. Prof. Cornelius Afebu Omonokhua, the inter-religious body noted that laws, “are amended, reviewed or reformed periodically to address socio-economic changes in the society.”

NIREC, however, noted that a law “does not become sacrosanct” even if due legislative process was followed to make it.

Omonokhua said the body was, “aware that it is the constitutional responsibility of the National Assembly to make laws for peace, order and good government in Nigeria. We are, however, advised and guided that in the legislative process, laws may emanate from the National Assembly or from the Executive or any of its agencies as well as from private individuals or groups. We also noted with admiration that from time to time, the National Assembly, in the course of its law-making process, invites stakeholders to participate in public hearings before a Bill is passed. This good practice of engagement with stakeholders before passing any law must continue as the citizens will be happier with a law that contains their input.”

He added that, “NIREC calls on the National Assembly to therefore listen objectively to the reactions of the citizens on CAMA in the spirit of democracy while the citizens should be law abiding in the spirit of patriotism.

“All citizens should be aware that even after following due legislative process in making any law (including CAMA 2020), it does not become sacrosanct. Citizens with genuine observations are free to express them. NIREC advises all well-meaning individuals and groups to be patient on this issue that has constitutional and democratic solutions. One of the beauties of democracy is that citizens have their representatives in the legislature. Apart from the representatives, sponsorship of private Bills is allowed. NIREC advises all well-meaning individuals or groups with genuine complaints to approach the court or the National Assembly to avoid generating unnecessary bad blood and acrimony. All those aggrieved by the passage of the CAMA 2020 should therefore resort to the legislative process by proposing either an amendment or repeal of the CAMA 2020. It will then be left for the National Assembly to consider such Bills in their own merit.”