CAMA: CAN Drags Buhari’s Federal Govt To Court

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has dragged the federal government of Nigeria to court over the controversial Companies and Allied Matters Act 2020 popularly called CAMA.

The Christian umbrella body had previously expressed reservations about some provisions of the law signed by President Muhammadu Buhari on August 7, 2020.

According to the new laws, religious bodies and charity organizations will be regulated by the registrar-general of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and a minister but CAN had rejected such provisions.

On Monday, a statement signed and made available to Naija News by the CAN General Secretary, Joseph Bade Daramola, said the body has gone to court to challenge the legality or otherwise of the just gazetted CAMA over some provisions which CAN is not comfortable with.

It is understood that the Association resolved to go to court after all attempts to convince the Federal government why it should not intervene or interfere with the management of the Church in the country through any of its agencies failed.

The suit No FHC/ABJ/CS/244/2021 between the Incorporated Trustees of Christian Association of Nigeria and 1. Corporate Affairs Commission and 2. Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment was filed before the Federal High Court, Abuja.

The case was mentioned at the Federal High Court, Abuja today (Monday, 15th March, 2021).

The Plaintiff Counsels, led by Joe-Kyari Gadzama, SAN, include but not limited to Prof J. Amupitan, SAN, Wale Adesokan, SAN, Isaac Okpanachi, Esq., Comfort Otera Chigbue, Esq, Godswill Iyoke, Esq., Dr Cyril Obika, Esq., Geraldine Mbah, Esq., Francis Oronsaye, Esq., Oluniyi Adediji, Esq., Charles Ndukwe, Esq., Emmanuel Ekong, Esq., and Darlington Onyekwere, Esq., Madu Joe-Kyari Gadzama, Esq,. Lama Joe-Kyari Gadzama, Esq, Rev Fr. Joseph Ilorah, Esq., Jerry Onbugadu Musa, Esq., Amazing Ikpala, Esq., and a host of other legal luminaries.

The CAN leaders present in the court included the General Secretary, Joseph Bade Daramola, Esq., Elder Kunle Fagbemi, Senator Philip Gyunka, Elder Tunde Adegbesan, Rev Dr Testimony Onifade, the Director, Legal and Public Affairs, Comfort Otera Chigbue, Esq., and Senator Jonathan Zwingina.

Meanwhile, Naija News recalls President Muhammadu Buhari had last year declared that the recent signing of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2020 (CAMA) will help the fight against corruption.

He made this known while speaking in a video message presented at the Open Government Partnership (OGP) 2020 Virtual Leaders’ Summit on the sidelines of the 75th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA75) in New York.

Buhari explained that the CAMA Act will enhance transparency and corporate accountability in the fight against corruption.

According to the president, his administration was committed to changing international and domestic perceptions regarding Nigeria’s commitment to fight corruption.