A fiery debate emerged over the proposal for the establishment of a Sharia Court in Southwest Nigeria, with experts and clerics offering conflicting views on its viability and potential impact on the region’s diverse populace.
The discussion, which has garnered significant attention, saw both praise and criticism as stakeholders clashed over whether the Islamic legal system could function effectively within the multi-religious context of the Southwest.
During a webinar organised by the Nigerian NewsDirect Newspaper, stakeholders expressed divergent opinions on whether the Islamic legal system could be successfully adopted in the region.
The event, hosted by the News Editor of Nigerian NewsDirect, Sodiq Adelakun, featured discussions on the theme: “The Proposed Sharia Law in Southwest: Which Way to Go?”
The controversy was raised by a statement from the Chairman of the Muslim Lawyers Association of Nigeria (MULAN) in Osun State, Qasim Odedeji.
He argued that Sharia law is not a foreign concept to the region, revealing that many Yoruba Obas, such as Oba Habeeb Lagunju of Ede and Oba Memudu Lamoye of Iwo, had historically implemented Sharia law in their domains during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
“Sharia law in Yoruba land is as old as Islam. It was practised by our forebears, including Oba Lagunju of Ede and Oba Lamoye of Iwo, long before the colonial era. These Obas operated Sharia law within their jurisdictions, and it has been a part of our history,” he said.
Odedeji said that Sharia law is primarily for Muslims and does not interfere with the rights of non-Muslims, urging critics to seek a better understanding of Sharia before condemning it.
“Islam and Sharia are inseparable, denouncing Sharia is essentially asking Muslims to abandon their faith,” he added.
Supporting the idea of a formal Sharia Court in the region, Sirajudeen Abdul-Azeez, a legal expert, suggested that the establishment of such a court would offer Muslims an affordable and efficient alternative to Nigeria’s conventional court system.
According to Abdul-Azeez, the existing independent Sharia panels, which have been in operation since 2002, have significantly reduced the financial burden on Muslims seeking legal redress.
“The independent Sharia panels have solved many problems and saved Muslims from the expensive and often cumbersome process of engaging with conventional courts. We do not charge any fees, and there’s no need for legal representation. This system has already benefited many in the Southwest,” he explained.
Speaking earlier at the event, the Executive Director of Nigerian NewsDirect Newspaper, Matthew Ibiyemi, emphasised the importance of objective discourse on national issues.
He noted that the webinar was convened to provide clarity on the subject and foster public enlightenment.
“As a responsible media platform, we believe it is essential to set an agenda on national debates that impact Nigerians. The controversy surrounding this topic makes it imperative for informed discussions,” Ibiyemi stated.
However, the push for Sharia law was met with strong opposition from human rights advocates and religious leaders. Anikulapo-Kuti Deoni, a representative of the Committee for the Defense of Human Rights (CDHR) in Ogun State, dismissed the proposal, arguing that Sharia law is incompatible with the cultural and religious values of the Southwest.
Deoni warned that adopting Sharia would deepen existing societal divisions and foster religious intolerance in a region known for its longstanding tradition of religious harmony.
“The Southwest has always been a place where different religions coexist peacefully. Introducing Sharia would not only disrupt this balance but also further divide our people along religious lines.
“Sharia law has proven problematic in the North, and there’s no reason to believe it would work any better here,” he said.
Adding another perspective, Pastor Solomon Olasunkanmi Babainde warned that Sharia law would only fuel religious discord in the region.
“This legal system may work in countries with absolute Muslim majorities like Iraq, but in a multi-religious society like Nigeria, it will only breed intolerance and conflict,” Babainde stated.
The cleric stressed that religious laws should not supersede national legal frameworks, emphasising that Christian teachings advocate forgiveness rather than the punitive measures embedded in Sharia.
Meanwhile, Legal expert and lecturer at Nigeria British University, Awajibemeji Ejitibelem Ada-Okworobo, however, disagreed, asserting that the proposed Sharia Court aligns with Nigeria’s constitutional provisions.
He pointed out that the 1999 Constitution allows for a Sharia Court of Appeal at both the federal and state levels, and the court would only handle matters pertaining to Muslims, such as inheritance and family law.
“Sharia law is part of the constitutional framework in Nigeria. It is an alternative legal system for Muslims, just like Islamic banking is a specialised system for Muslims, this is not about forcing anyone to follow Islamic law; it is about providing Muslims with a legal avenue that aligns with their religious beliefs,”Awajibemeji said.
