CAMA law came through backdoor, we ‘ll challenge it – NBA

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The controversial Company and Allied Matters 2020 Act (CAMA), was smuggled into the law establishing the Corporate Affairs Commission(CAC), through the backdoor.

The President, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Effurun branch in Delta State, Mr. Jonathan Ekperusi Esqmade, made the clarification on Thursday, when he led members on a courtesy visit to the Nigeria Union of Journalists(NUJ), Warri Correspondents’ Chapel.

Esqmade, stated that part “C” which is controversial provision of the CAMA law gives the Registrar -General of the Corporate Affairs Commission, CAC, the power to strictly regulate religious bodies including Islamic groups as well as charity organizations and their existence.

The NBA boss vowed to challenge the law which he said is “violence” of the fair hearing provisions of the Constitution of Nigeria in court, stating that the Registrar-General by the new law, has the powers to suspend trustees of an association or a religious body and appoint an interim manager or managers to coordinate its affairs without recourse to a court of law.

Esqmade however insisted, “That’s too draconian. CAC does not need the court again. They’re now the prosecutor and the judge. No sane society should allow that to happen. That cannot stand. NBA will challenge that obnoxious law. It is for the ease of doing business. They use the provisions of part “A”,” B”&”C”.

He drew to attention part “C” of the act which termed a time bomb, he said, “We will approach the Court. Those sections will be trucked out.”

The act signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari on August 7 has generated so much controversy between some outspoken Christian leaders in the country and some presidential aids.

While the Christian leaders have vowed to resist the law, the presidency through its aids are insisting that the law is being honoured by same christians who are complaining here in such countries as Britain and the US.wonders why the complain.