The Human Project

Section 38(1) of the Constitution makes provision for the citizen’s "freedom of thought, conscience and religion, including freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom (either alone or together with others; in public or private) to manifest and propagate his religion or belief in worship, teaching, practice and observance."  Section 39(1) also provides that; " every person shall be entitled to freedom of expression, including freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart ideas and information without interference", while Section 40 guarantees that "every person shall be entitled to assemble freely and associate with other persons".  These are the granting clauses that give the citizens of Nigeria the constitutional right to engage in religious propagation within the shores of Nigeria among other rights; to associate and to hold opinions or to impart ideas without any hindrance. However, these rights are not absolute. The Constitution gives ...

To drive home the import of our discussion today, I invite you to join in a rather small yet practically very effective prank on your family, friends and foes; “Via whatever media you choose, declare openly that you no longer hold the belief you were known for or that you are now a sympathizer of another religious sect and watch the drama that will unfold.” After all next month is the month known for the famous April fool’s day. You can share your reactions in the comments if you have the mind to try it.  Our focus for today is on the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion with the aim of analyzing the possibility of individuals being liable for its infringement. Just last week, Aunty PhiPhi attacked and poured hot coals on the heads of terrorists as the chief invaders of the right to freedom of thought conscience and religion. Next week, Oga de Law Edim will have you believe that it is the government who encroach more on this right, but I will make you see that in re...

For as long as I can remember, Nigeria has been a killing field of defenseless Christians by extremist Muslims. Victims of religious violence have suffered unimaginable pain in the hands of these people; abduction, rape, torture, forceful recruitment of children into their terrorist groups, gruesome killings etc. Fulani herders claim to be “global citizens”, so to them, they own every land in Nigeria. Hisbah believes that it is their moral duty to stop people from consuming alcohol, holding parties and having relationships. Suspected boko haram groups have decided to abduct and murder innocent civilians and stop children from going to school because western education is for “infidels”. There are numerous reports of abuses by Hisbah, who frequently arrest and flog people for a variety of offenses. They often stop vehicles carrying men and women, and ask the women to disembark. They would sometimes disrupt conversations between men and women on the ground that such gatherings were immora...

Have you ever wondered whether the fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution apply to us at all as citizens of Nigeria, abi we are just walking around like zombies? I think about it a lot. Imagine the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; a very interesting concept, yet we cannot enjoy it. It’s either the government is clamping down on us, religious extremists think it’s their right to kill ‘infidels’, or trolls who have established their thrones on social media won’t let us be. What does this right entail? To what extent can you exercise it? Who are the violators and how do they go about their evil ways? The Constitution in section 38 (1) provides for secularity in Nigeria, guaranteeing the people’s right to religious freedom including freedom to change religion or belief and manifest and propagate one’s religion or belief in worship, teaching, practice and observance. So this right is in two aspects: * The right to hold or change religious or other beliefs. Thi...

It promises to be interesting guys. Get ready!