Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor, legal counsel to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has strongly condemned Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, for banning loud public preaching and imposing a N500,000 fine on violators.
In a statement on Monday, Ejiofor described the move as an excessive restriction on religious freedom and a violation of constitutional rights. He argued that the ban contradicts Section 38(1) of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion, including the public expression of faith.
The controversy began after Soludo announced the ban, citing concerns over noise pollution caused by street preachers, particularly in marketplaces. The governor, in a viral video, was seen confronting a preacher at Onitsha’s Ochanja Market, warning that unauthorized public preaching would now attract a hefty penalty.
“This is a marketplace, not a church! You cannot take over a public space and turn it into a place of worship. Otherwise, you will pay for it. You will pay N500,000 because we cannot allow this anymore,” Soludo declared.
Ejiofor, however, argued that rather than an outright ban, the government should focus on regulating and moderating public preaching to balance religious expression with public order.
“Many may not understand the extent of the restrictions imposed on their religious freedom by this ban,” Ejiofor said. “By this declaration, all forms of public evangelism, including crusades and outreach programs, have effectively been criminalized under an unclear law referenced by the governor.”
The lawyer further questioned Soludo’s priorities, pointing out that Anambra still struggles with insecurity and governance challenges. “How does the prevailing insecurity in Anambra relate to peaceful gospel preachers fulfilling their spiritual mandate?” he asked.
Ejiofor called on the state government to reconsider its stance, emphasizing that true leadership should promote security and development without infringing on fundamental rights.
“The ban on public preaching is a dangerous precedent that must be revisited. True leadership is about building, not suppressing; about securing, not silencing. Let wisdom prevail,” he concluded.
