Ekiti State Muslim Community Faces Resistance Over Shariah Panel

The Nigerian Supreme Court for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), under the leadership of its President-General and Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alh. Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, is deeply concerned about the high spate of intolerance and disregard for the rights of Muslims, especially in the southern part of the country.

Recently, the Ekiti State Muslim community attempted to establish an independent Shariah (Arbitration) panel, which was opposed by political and traditional leaders of the state.

This happened after the announcement on the inauguration of a Shariah panel in Oyo State generated unnecessary anxiety leading to its indefinite postponement.

According to the press release, the Independent Arbitration Panel is a voluntary platform designed solely for the resolution of civil and marital disputes among consenting Muslims, denial of female students to wear hijab and prevent Muslim regions from practicing their religion.

The press read,“The Independent Arbitration Panel, which is a voluntary platform designed solely for the resolution of civil and marital disputes among consenting Muslims, was to fill the inexplicable vacuum created by the failure of the political elite in South-Western Nigeria to establish Sharia Courts, as allowed by the Nigerian Constitution, in South-Western states, despite the huge population of Muslims in the region.

“This and other cases, such as the denial of the rights of female students to wear the Hijab despite a Supreme Court judgement, are nothing but calculated attempts to prevent Muslims in the region from practicing their faith.”

Meanwhile, Arbitration and the Sharia Court of Appeal is like the Customary Court, and the 1999 constitution of the federal Republic confirmed the legality of both initiatives.