Sokoto State lawmaker, Abubakar Shehu, says the violators of a bill to regulate and control marriage, naming and circumcision ceremonies in the state risk a minimum of one-month imprisonment or N50,000 fine.

The bill, which was sponsored by Shehu (APC-Yabo) and Faruk Balle (PDP-Gudu), was unanimously passed by the legislature on Tuesday.

The lawmaker told journalists on Thursday in Sokoto that the bill would control extravagant spending in all the ceremonies, thereby addressing difficulties in getting married by teeming youths.

“It is designed in such a way that all spendings before, during and after marriage are very much affordable and in consonant with the Islamic teaching.

“As you are aware today, getting married by our youths has become a great challenge following the economic hardship and creating unnecessary spending in our domain.

“Such traditional madness has continued to pave way for the increased number of crises leading to rampant divorce within our society.

“Thereby, leading to sexual harassment and exploitation as well as criminal activities, among many other challenges,” he said.

The assemblyman added that the bill was tailored to suit the culture and traditions of the people in the state without any discrimination.

“However, violators will face their consequences before the court of law and their punishments will be on the judge’s discretion.

“This will depend on the violator’s offence and the bill prescribed a minimum of N50,000 fine or imprisonment ranging from one month,” he explained.

Also on the content, Mr Shehu said the bill would, directly and indirectly, bring peace to families and minimise divorce cases in society.

“The idea of the bill come up after receiving a lot of complains from our people, so as representatives we personally thought on how to address the situation,” he said.

According to Mr Shehu, the state Assembly had done its part by passing the bill, adding that what remains is the governor’s assent to become a law for proper implementation.

(NAN)