Soludo’s Ban on Public Preaching Sparks Outrage, Lawyer Slams N500,000 Fine as Religious Overreach

A controversial decision by Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, to ban public preaching and impose a hefty N500,000 fine on violators has ignited strong backlash, with human rights lawyer Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor leading the charge. Ejiofor, who also serves as counsel for the Indigenous People of Biafra, criticized Soludo’s move as a blatant violation of religious freedoms and an alarming overreach by the state government.

The controversy began after a viral video emerged over the weekend, showing Governor Soludo halting a preacher at a market for allegedly causing noise pollution. In the clip, Soludo reminded the preacher of the state’s law against noise pollution and ordered him to either preach inside a church or rent an open space for such activities, threatening a fine of N500,000 for continued violations.

Reacting to this decision, Ejiofor argued that while the state may have legitimate concerns about noise pollution, the outright ban on public preaching raises serious constitutional and human rights issues. In a statement released on Monday, he stressed that religious freedom is a fundamental right guaranteed under Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, specifically in Section 38, which protects the freedom of worship and the right to manifest and propagate religious beliefs publicly.

Ejiofor’s statement read, “The recent ban on public preaching in Anambra State, coupled with a hefty fine of ₦500,000 for defaulters, is an alarming overreach that raises serious concerns about religious freedom. The Governor should have focused on regulating public preaching to address noise pollution, rather than issuing a blanket ban.”

Referencing a Supreme Court ruling in the case of Lagos State Govt & Ors V. Abdulkareem & ORS (2022), Ejiofor reminded the government that the constitution explicitly allows individuals to freely express their religion in public, including preaching. He argued that Soludo’s ban criminalizes legitimate religious activities, including crusades and outreach programs that have traditionally taken place outside church walls.

The lawyer also criticized the governor for focusing on public preaching while neglecting more pressing issues like the escalating insecurity in Anambra. He questioned how peaceful religious activities like evangelism could be connected to the state’s security challenges. Ejiofor pointed to neighboring states like Abia and Enugu, which continue to balance effective governance with respect for religious freedoms, as examples for Anambra to follow.

In closing, Ejiofor called on the governor to reconsider the ban, warning that such measures could set a dangerous precedent. “In a democratic society, policies must respect fundamental rights. True leadership is about building, not suppressing,” he said.

As the debate intensifies, many are questioning whether this controversial decision is a sign of growing authoritarianism or an overzealous attempt to address noise pollution in public spaces. The outcome of this issue will likely have significant implications for the future of religious expression in Nigeria.