Global Rights has condemned the Kano State Hisbah Board for the arbitrary arrest of individuals over alleged violations of Islamic law, including failure to observe the Ramadan fast, “indecent” haircuts, and allowing mixed-gender passengers in tricycles

The organisation in a statement signed by its Executive Director, Abiodun Baiyewu said the actions actions are not only undemocratic but fundamentally incompatible with Nigeria’s status as a secular state.

While upholding and respecting every Nigerian’s right to freely practice their religion, they rejected attempts to impose religious laws on non-consenting adults.

“Hisbah’s actions constitute intimidation and coercion, and such violations have no place in a democracy that guarantees freedom of religion, expression, and personal autonomy as the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria explicitly prohibits religious discrimination and Section 10 establishes that Nigeria is a secular state and prohibits the adoption of any religion as state religion.”

Additionally they maintained that Nigeria is a signatory to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which reinforces these protections as Article 18 guarantees freedom of thought, conscience, and religion, stating that no one shall be subject to coercion that would impair their freedom to adopt or practice a religion of their choice.

Furthermore, the organisation noted that Article 26 prohibits discrimination of any kind, including based on religion, and guarantees equal protection under the law.

Global Rights stated that the arrest and detention of individuals over the so-called offenses are a blatant abuse of power and a violation of fundamental human rights.

They, however, called on the Kano State Government to immediately rein in Hisbah, whose selective and discriminatory enforcement of religious edicts infringes on the rights of both Muslims and non-Muslims alike.

While questioning the wisdom of allowing bodies like Hisbah to operate in a manner parallel to the constitutional and legal framework of the country, they opined that their continued existence and funding is an affront to Nigeria’s status as a secular state.

Global Rights maintained that the Nigeria’s legal system has already defined what constitutes a crime, and it is not a crime nor should it be, to choose not to fast during Ramadan, to wear a particular hairstyle, or to ride in a shared public vehicle with the opposite sex.

The organisation demanded the immediate and unconditional release of those who have been detained by Hisbah for such non-criminal acts and also called on the Nigerian public to resist any attempt to erode democratic freedoms under the guise of religious enforcement.

The Nigerian Constitution remains the supreme law of the land, and all state institutions, including Hisbah, must operate within its bounds, saying Nigeria’s commitment to democracy and the rule of law requires the protection of all citizens from arbitrary arrests and religious coercion.

They urged the federal and state governments to uphold these principles and ensure that all Nigerians, regardless of their religious beliefs, are treated equally under the law.