— Mazi Ejimofor Opara
The dictum, “ignorance of the law is not an excuse” has remained a valid reminder to many people who assume that habitual practices are somehow legal and should be treated as normal. This why they become surprise in the duck when the law catches up with them. I am quite certain that until Friday’s encounter with Governor Soludo, that roadside preacher may not know that there was something called “Noise pollution” punishable under *Sections 8(1,4b) and 9(1,2) of the Public Health Laws of Anambra State, 2006*.
As at matter of precedence, this law was made actionable against a church in the year 2019 by a Magistrate Court in Nnewi (see the Punch Newspaper report of 22nd October, 2019. Link is attached herewith: https://search.app/xBiq2v7wDBUwvTmE8). Indeed, ignorance of the law can and has never been an excuse.
What Gov. Soludo did should never be misconstrued as an attack on “Evangelism”, just as many who misinterpreted the clampdown on evil native doctors as an attack on the African Traditional Religion. Evangelism can be done with constituting public nuisance or infringing on people’s right to public peace and health.
It is important to even remember the scriptural admonition in Ecclesiastes 3:1 that “there is time for everything”. This law further extends to other non-religious activities that disturb public peace, including those with horn-speakers at public parks and markets, music sellers on major streets and other sundry activities that go on without prior permit from the relevant authorities.
Remember that “Governance, Law and Order” is a major pillar of the Soludo administration. Nothing will be left to chance in this regard, because a lawless society can never be a liveable and prosperous homeland.
Happy Sunday my people!
