Kaduna state house of Assembly on Friday passed the controversial religious preaching regulation law 1984 into law.
The passing of the law by the lawmakers came a few minutes before the fifth Assembly was dissolved by the speaker of the house, Aminu Abdullahi Shagali.
The speaker, who was presiding over the plenary, while reading the bill, said a state inter-faith Regulatory Council has been established with a chairman to be appointed by the Governor on the recommendation of the Secretary to the State Government.
Adding that two members representing the Muslim and Christian faith are to be appointed by the Governor and others respectively.
He mentioned that the bill, when signed into law, stipulates that in each of the 23 local Government areas of the state will establish a committee.
The bill adds that any person who plays religious cassettes or uses the loudspeaker for religious purposes between the hours of 11 pm to 4 am in a public place commits an offense. Also, it includes that blaring loudspeakers for religious purposes other than inside a church or mosque is an offense and shall be convicted in prison for a term of not less than two years or pay a fine of less than N200,000 or both.
It further stipulates that any person who publicly insults or seeks to incite contempt in any religion by making false statements in any manner that shall lead to a breach of the peace shall be punished with imprisonment for no less than 5 years and a fine of N100,000 or both.
The bill comes into law after three years. The bill has faced serious setback from religious bodies and individuals in the state.
The law will be sent to Governor Nasir El-Rufai for his assent.
