The Niger State House of Assembly has passed two bills into law, including the Niger State Hisbah Directorates Bill and an amendment to the Niger State Tax Administration and Consolidation Law, 2022.
The private member bill was sponsored by the member representing Chanchaga Constituency, Hon. Mohammed Abubakar.
The Chairman of the Joint Committee, Hon. Isah Muhammad Etsugaie, presented the joint report of the House Committees on Religious Affairs and Judiciary and Legal Matters at the plenary of the House in Minna.
According to him, the committees conducted a public hearing involving critical stakeholders.
They included the Ministry of Justice, Bureau for Religious Affairs, High Court of Justice, Sharia Court of Appeal, Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Imam Forum, and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).
“The engagement was aimed at gathering expert opinions and creating public awareness on the proposed bill,” he said.
“The bill seeks, among other objectives, to encourage Muslims to unite in their pursuit of justice and equity, and to advise against the acquisition of interest, usury, hoarding, and speculation.
“The bill also seeks to promote charitable deeds, particularly the payment of Zakat, Sadaqah, and Waqf, as well as moral counseling in society in line with Islamic injunctions,” Etsugaie stated.
He further explained that the bill provides for the reconciliation of civil disputes between individuals and organizations, subject to the consent of the parties involved, thereby assisting the police and other security agencies in maintaining peace and order.
“The bill also aims to help prevent immoral acts such as alcoholism, prostitution, and commercial sex activities,” the chairman added.
Recall that the bill was referred to the relevant House Committees for detailed scrutiny and further legislative action on 26th August 2025.
In another development, the Niger State House of Assembly also passed into law a private member bill to amend the Niger State Tax Administration and Consolidation Law, 2022.
The bill was equally sponsored by Hon. Mohammed Abubakar, member representing Chanchaga Constituency, and the report of the House Committee on Finance was presented by its Chairman, Hon. Aliyu Sheshi Wushishi, member representing Wushishi Constituency.
Wushishi informed the House that the amendment seeks to align the state tax law with newly enacted federal tax laws through domestication, adding, “The bill is well drafted and necessary to ensure conformity with current national tax administration frameworks.”
At the end of the exercise, the House unanimously approved and passed both bills into law.
The Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, Abdulmalik Mohammed Sarkin-Daji, commended the sponsor of the private member bills and the committees for their diligence and commitment.
He thereafter directed the Clerk of the House to transmit clean copies of the bills to the Executive Arm of Government for assent.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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