An Islamic organization affiliated with the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria, specifically the Oyo State chapter, has stated that it was not planning to establish a Sharia Court in the state as speculated in some quarters.
The religious group stated this while explaining the rationale behind establishing an Independent Sharia Arbitration Panel in Oyo town and its surrounding regions.
Naija News reports that there have been controversies over a purported plan to establish Sharia law in the Southwestern part of the country.
However, the organization indicated that the panel was meant only to settle family disputes among Muslims without enforcement.
It also confirmed the postponement of the panel’s establishment due to an unintentional mischaracterization of the program.
In a press release signed by the Committee Chairman, Dr. Bello Adisa, and shared with newsmen on Wednesday, it was clarified that the arbitration panel is already operational in several South-West states and aims to address family disputes among consenting Muslims.
Adisa also confirmed that a new date for the inauguration will be communicated soon.
The statement read, “This is to inform the general public, on behalf of the entire Muslim community of Oyo town, that the inauguration ceremony of the Independent Sharia Arbitration Panel in Oyo town, initially scheduled for 11th January 2025 at Oyo Muslim Community Islamic Centre, Agbogangan, Oyo, has been postponed. A new date will be announced later.
“The postponement follows an inadvertent reference to the event as the inauguration of a Shari’a court in Oyo town and its environs instead of the Independent Sharia Arbitration Panel.
“This arbitration panel, which already exists in many parts of the South-West, is meant only to settle family disputes among willing Muslims, without enforcement powers. It is not a court. We deeply regret any inconvenience caused by this misrepresentation and the subsequent postponement.”
Naija News understands that a flyer circulated widely on Tuesday, inviting attendees from across the nation to the inauguration ceremony of the Sharia court scheduled for January 11, 2025, at the Muslim Community Islamic Centre, located on Oba Adeyemi High School Road in the Mobolaje Area of Oyo.
The flyer identified High Chief Yusuf Akinade Olayinka I, the Bashorun of Oyo Land, as the Royal Father of the Day; Alhaji Abdullateef Eleyele, the Mufairu of Oyo Land, as the Spiritual Father of the Day; and Alhaji Tajudeen Kamorise, the Aare Musulumi of Oyo Land, as the Chief Host.
Nevertheless, the event encountered significant backlash from social media users, many of whom contended that the southwest region, primarily inhabited by the Yoruba people, is culturally and religiously distinct from the northern areas where Muslims are more prevalent.
In light of the public discontent, the organizing group, represented by Imam Daud Igi Ogun of the Khadimul Muslimeen of Oyo Kingdom, released a statement announcing the postponement of the event.
The statement read: “On behalf of the Oyo Muslim indigenes, this is to inform the general public that the inauguration ceremony of the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (Oyo branch), previously scheduled for 11th January 2025 at the Muslim Community Islamic Centre, Oba Adeyemi High School Road, Mobolaje Area, Agbongangan, Oyo, has been suspended until further notice. Islam portrays peace!”
In his reaction, the state governor, Seyi Makinde, stated: “Regarding the establishment of a Sharia court in Oyo town, people may try, but for us, I swore to uphold our laws and the Constitution of Nigeria.
“If their actions are within the law, fine; if not, they should expect that I will insist the law must be followed.”