Bauchi assembly passes law to establish hisbah board

By Ahmed Ahmed

The Bauchi State House of Assembly has passed the Bauchi State Hisbah Board Establishment Bill, 2024, following a report by the House Committee on Religious Affairs.

The house passed the bill after the report of the house committee on Religious affairs presented the bill for legislative consideration at a plenary on Thursday in Bauchi.

The Deputy Chairman Committee on Religious Affairs,Habibu Umar, representing Kirfi Constituency, explained that the committee engaged with stakeholders from the Ministry of Religious Affairs and other religious bodies to gather insights before presenting the bill.

According to him, the Hisbah Board will oversee policy-making, disciplinary measures, and training of personnel.

“It will also have the authority to investigate and discipline staff in line with public service regulations.

“The board aims to complement the state’s security framework by preventing, detecting, and reporting crimes under Islamic law.

He said,the board will help foster peace by resolving disputes among individuals and communities, supervising Zauren Sulhu (reconciliation councils),

“facilitating marriages between consenting adults, supporting new converts to Islam, and ensuring compliance with Shari’a law in Bauchi State.

The Deputy Speaker Jamilu Dahiru instructed the Clerk to forward the bill to the Governor for assent.