The Elders Consultative Forum of the Supreme Council for Shariah, Oyo State chapter, has urged the state government to establish a Shariah Court. According to the News Agency of Nigeria, Shariah comprises a divine set of rules and regulations that govern all aspects of Muslim life, regulating their affairs in relation to Allah and fellow human beings. The forum’s Chairman, Alhaji Lasun Sanusi (SAN), made this call during a seminar for Independent Shariah Court Judges held in Ibadan on Sunday.
Sanusi emphasized that the implementation of Shariah would help reduce criminality, promote good governance, and foster a peaceful environment. He noted that an Independent Shariah panel had already been established by some Muslims in the state to provide a platform for addressing cases and settling disputes in accordance with Islamic Law. However, he argued that this panel requires government recognition through the establishment of a Shariah Court, which would ensure that its verdicts are legally binding and respected by all parties involved.
The forum chairman pointed out that the Nigerian Constitution recognizes freedom of religion, asserting that Muslims are entitled to operate within the framework of Islamic Law. He stated, “Our demand is that whatever Islamic religion entails should be given to us so that Muslims will know they have the right to practice their religion in accordance with Section 38 of the Nigerian Constitution.” He clarified that Shariah is often misunderstood, emphasizing that it is not solely about punishment and does not impose obligations on non-Muslims. He further explained that matters such as property distribution and divorce should align with Islamic Law, highlighting that the government has not facilitated the exercise of these rights, which are already enshrined in the Constitution.
Sanusi reiterated the call for the establishment of a Shariah Court, especially since the government has already set up a Customary Court. Justice Tajudeen AbdulGaniyu, a Justice of the Customary Court of Appeal in Oyo State, remarked that the Shariah Panel should be viewed as a temporary solution, with the ultimate aim being the creation of a Shariah Court. He encouraged all segments of the Muslim community to intensify their efforts and peacefully advocate for the establishment of a Shariah Court in the state.
Justice AbdulGaniyu also noted that the performance of the panel over the past 20 years has shown that many cases remain unresolved or are withdrawn, indicating a lack of enforcement power. Additionally, Justice Abdur-Raheem Sayi, a judge of the Shariah Court of Appeal in Kwara, called for fairness in the panel’s decisions and greater awareness of its functions. In his remarks, Sheikh Olawale, the President of the Shariah Panel in Oyo State, lamented the non-recognition of many of the panel’s decisions. He urged stakeholders to support the panel so that its decisions could gain legal recognition and be adhered to by all parties involved.
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