Christian Lawyers Fellowship of Nigeria, CLASFON, Thursday, urged governments at all levels to do everything within their reach to prevent the spread of the novel Coronavirus disease now threatening humanity throughout the world. 

It also asked Nigerians to cooperate with government to stop the spread of the disease from spreading across the country.  

These were contained in a communique issued at the end of its quarterly meeting in Kaduna.

The group expressed deep concern about the global pandemic and called for urgent steps by governments at all levels, to prevent the spread of the disease. 

The communique was jointly signed by both the President of CLASFON, Mr. Arome Okwore and the National Secretary, Olatunji Omole. 

It read in part, “CLASFON notes with grave concern, the evolving trend globally with regards to the Coronavirus, COVID-19, pandemic. 

"We implore governments at all levels to take proactive measures to contain the spread of the virus, and save the lives of those already infected.” 

The lawyers also called for prayers against the calamity from spreading further and killing more people across the globe. 

According to the lawyers, the two day meeting also, deliberated on the state of the nation, especially as it affects insecurity, persecution of Christians, federal government’s policy on Boko Haram terrorists and interference with the Judiciary by the executive arm of government among others.

The lawyers decried the continued attacks by terrorists and called on the Federal Government to rejig the current security apparatus in order to defeat the insurgents and bring members to justice.

“CLASFON notes with dismay various acts of kidnappings, abduction for ransom with pastors and missionaries as primary targets, cult-related killings, attack on vulnerable communities by terrorists, bandits and herdsmen across many states in Nigeria despite huge resources deployed by federal government to curb insecurity. 

The further communique stated, “CLASFON calls again on the President Muhammadu, even more loudly, to take more seriously the responsibility of the protection of the lives and properties of all residents of Nigeria as provided by the 1999 Constitution and other relevant laws; leaving no stone unturned to secure the release Leah Sharibu and many others in the custody and captivity of insurgents and bandits.

“CLASFON observes with grave concern the Federal Government's policy on rehabilitation of the so-called repented Boko Haram terrorists while paying less attention to the plight of victims.

“We call on the Federal Government to resist the temptation of promoting the culture of impunity and lawlessness by ensuring that those who have committed heinous acts against citizens on a wide scale are made to face the full wrath of the law. 

“Anything short of this is unacceptable as it shows that terrorism against the state pays and unwittingly make a mockery of the effort of the Armed Forces in the fight against terrorism.

“The morale of our soldiers fighting terrorism and justice for the victims must not be compromised.

“We call on the federal government to jettison this policy and to urgently direct that more attention to be given to help the victims of insurgency and how to ameliorate the hardship and trauma faced by them."

They also, expressed dismay over political interference by the executive arm of government in the affairs of the Judiciary, adding that, “the confusion orchestrated by the appointment of Acting Chief Judges in Gombe and Cross Rivers explained the cases in point. 

“CLASFON is concerned that the current Acting Chief Judges gender, ethnic and religious sentiments have been brought to bear in the appointments instead of the established convention of seniority and competence.

The action of the governors of Gombe and Cross Rivers states are capable of interfering with the smooth administration of justice in both states.

“CLASFON calls on the National Judicial Council, NJC, to stamp its authority by ensuring that established convention in the appointment of a Chief Judge of a state is not abused thereby compromising judicial independence in those states.”