Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, on Thursday challenged the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to “Christianise” Nigeria by setting up interest-free banks.
Speaking at the strategic dialogue roundtable organised by the Social Economic Rights and Accountability, SERAP, in Lagos, Mr. Falana urged religious leaders not to set Nigerians against themselves based on religion.
Falana was reacting to the controversy surrounding the N100 billion Sukuk bond offered by the Nigerian government.
CAN had alleged that the release of the money by the Federal Government was a means to Islamize Nigeria.
But Mr. Falana, on Thursday, said the Sukuk bond was a legitimate means through which government could generate funds, as practiced in many countries of the world.
He said: “I am challenging CAN to Christianise Nigerians; christianise us by setting up interest-free banks…” he said.
He said religious leaders must be careful in their handling of issues, stressing that suspected kidnapper, Evans, had clerics who worked for him.
“Evans has a pastor, a Muslim cleric and traditional priest…because all the prayers are needed,” he said.