Nasarawa APGA seeks reinstatement of Customary Court of Appeal

Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura of Nassarawa State

The All Progressive Grand Alliance APGA, Nasarawa chapter has urged governor Tanko Al-Makura to, as a matter of urgency, reinstate the state Customary Court of Appeal he recently abolished.

Governorship candidate of APGA in the 2015 election, Labaran Maku, said this yesterday and appealed to the Nasarawa state government to reinstate the Customary Court of Appeal in order to resolve traditional issues in the state.

Maku made the call while speaking with journalists in Wakama, Akun development area of the state. The Nasarawa State government had on October 23, 2017 scraped the state’s Customary Court of Appeal during the retirement and valedictory court session in honour of Justice Jibril Idrisu, who served as President of the state Customary Court of Appeal.

Why will the Nasarawa State government abolish Customary Court of Appeal when the state comprises different ethnic groups, cultures and religions?“For instance, we have Rindre, Afo, Alago, Migili, Agatu among other tribes in the state who are not Christians or Muslims, what happens if they have conflict? He asked.

“In Nasarawa State, the law provides for three courts, Sharia Court is for Muslims, Christians would go to the common law court and traditionalists will go to Customary Court of Appeal to resolve their disputes.

“For peace and unity in the state, we want the state government to reinstate the Customary Court of Appeal and if the government refuses to return it, when APGA comes to power in 2019, it shall be reinstated,” he said. Maku, who is the National Secretary of APGA called on Christians and non- Christians to use Christmas season to reflect on how well they have lived for the good of their man.

“I congratulate Christians and Nigerians at Christmas and wish them prosperous New Year. Christmas season commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ who is the symbol of Christianity and there is no better way to celebrate the season than to demonstrate love, humility and generosity towards one another.”

Maku empathised with Nigerians over the hardship they have faced during the Christmas, as a result of fuel scarcity in the country, describing the situation as unfortunate and uncalled for.