By MUHAMMAD NASIR

Sokoto State Assemblyman Abubakar Shehu says the violators of a Bill to regulate and control marriage, naming and circumcision ceremonies in the state risk a minimum of one month imprisonment or N50,000 fine.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Bill, which was sponsored by Shehu (APC-Yabo) and Faruk Balle (PDP-Gudu), was unanimously passed by the legislature on Tuesday.

The lawmaker told NAN on Thursday in Sokoto that the Bill would control extravagant spendings in all the ceremonies, thereby addressing difficulties in getting marriage by teeming youths.

“It is designed in such a way that all spendings before, during and after marriage are very much affordable and in consonant with the Islamic teaching.

“As you are aware today getting marriage by our youths has become a great challenge following the economic hardship and creating unnecessary spendings in our domain.

“Such traditional madness has continued to pave ways in the increase number of crises that led to rampant divorce within our society.

“Thereby, leading to sexual harassment and exploitation as well as criminal activities, among many other challenges,” he said.

The assemblyman added that the Bill was tailored to suit the culture and traditions of the people in the state without any discrimination.

“However, violators will face their consequences before the court of law and their punishments will be on the judge’s discretion.

“This will depend on the violator’s offence and the Bill prescribed a minimum of N50,000 fine or imprisonment ranging from one month,” he explained.

Also on the content, Shehu said the Bill would directly and indirectly bring peace in the families and minimise divorce cases in the society.

“The idea of the Bill come up after receiving a lot of complains from our people, so as representatives we personally thought on how to address the situation,” he said.

According to Shehu, the state Assembly has done its part by passing the Bill, adding that what remain is the governor’s assent to become a law for proper implementation. (NAN)

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