• Home
  • Anti-Corruption
  • Fact-Check
  • Economy
  • National
    • Government
  • Security
  • Features
  • State
  • Event
    • PR Nigeria Award
  • E-Paper
Search
  • Home
  • About
  • Adverts
  • Contact
Sign in
Welcome! Log into your account
Forgot your password? Get help
Password recovery
Recover your password
A password will be e-mailed to you.
PRNIGERIA PRNigeria News
PRNIGERIA PRNIGERIA
  • Home
  • Anti-Corruption
    • Engr Abba Babagana Dalori

      Engr Dalori Forfeits Galaxy Hospital, Petrol Station, Properties & Cash

      Chinese nationals jailed in Lagos

      Court Jails Nine Chinese Nationals for Cybercrime in Lagos

      ASUU

      Tackle Corruption, Institutional Decay – ASUU Charges FG

      EFCC Arraigns Bauchi Accountant General Over N8bn Fraud as Court Sentences…

      PRNigeria logo fearured image

      EFCC Arraigns Ex-Convict, Other for Naira Abuse in Lagos

  • Fact-Check
  • Economy
    • Comptroller General Nigerian Customs Bashir Adewale

      Customs Moves Against 223 Importers in N379bn Permit Breach

      Bashir Adewale Adeniyi Customs Boss

      How Customs is Tightening Borders to Stop Illicit Cash Flows –…

      Customs boss, CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi with NAFDAC DG Professor Moji Adeyeye

      Codeine, Tramadol Worth ₦20.5bn Seized as Customs-NAFDAC Cooperation Deepens

      Acting Controller General of Customs, Nigerian Customs Services, NSC, Ag. CG Bashir Adewale Adeniyi

      Adeniyi Inaugurates Lagos School Renovated by Nigeria Customs 

      Abdullahi Aliyu Maiwada

      Customs’ Maiwada Named Among Nigeria’s 50 Most Influential PR Voices

  • National
    • Delegates of IEDPU praises CP Moshood Jimoh

      IEDPU Praises CP Moshood Jimoh of Lagos Police for Exemplary Leadership

      Troops Repel Boko Haram Attack in Gwoza, Recover Firearms

      court Judiciary

      Court Remands TikToker Arrested by DSS for claiming President Tinubu died

      Comptroller General Nigerian Customs Bashir Adewale

      Customs Moves Against 223 Importers in N379bn Permit Breach

      Dr. Ibrahim Bello Emir of Gusau

      His Death is a National Loss – Tinubu Mourns Emir of…

    • Government
      • court Judiciary

        Court Remands TikToker Arrested by DSS for claiming President Tinubu died

        Leon Usigbe

        Tinubu Mourns Veteran State House Correspondent, Leon Usigbe

        Dr. Ibrahim Bello, Emir of Gusau

        Tinubu, NUJ, Police, and Military Mourn the Death of Gusau Emir

        Dr. Ibrahim Bello Emir of Gusau

        His Death is a National Loss – Tinubu Mourns Emir of…

        Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN)

        LPPC Elevates Nasarawa SSG, Osun AG, S/Court Judge’s Son, Ayodeji, 53…

  • Security
    • Delegates of IEDPU praises CP Moshood Jimoh

      IEDPU Praises CP Moshood Jimoh of Lagos Police for Exemplary Leadership

      Troops Repel Boko Haram Attack in Gwoza, Recover Firearms

      Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA

      Troops Kill Three Terrorist Leaders in Sokoto Ambush, Recover Weapons

      Nigerian Navy Personnel

      Navy Arrests 9 Impostors Operating as Fake Coast Guards in Akwa…

      Lt. Col (Mrs) Onyechi Appolonia Anele, FSS, anipr

      Army Dismisses Allegations of Delayed Promotions, Stagnant Allowances

  • Features
    • Leon Usigbe

      Death, you can’t be Proud of this By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem 

      Tinubu’s Plateau Gambit – Yilwatda, 2027, and the Return of the…

      Ozumi and a recipient of a wheelchair

      Wheels of Hope: How a Simple Gift is Reshaping Lives at…

      Late Ex-President Muhammadu Buhari and Mansur Liman

      “Buhari: A Blunt, Honest Leader Who Laughed at His Own Predicament”

      Intelligence Synergy: Reshaping Nigeria’s Security Architecture, By Mukhtar Ya’u Madobi

  • State
    • Delegates of IEDPU praises CP Moshood Jimoh

      IEDPU Praises CP Moshood Jimoh of Lagos Police for Exemplary Leadership

      Troops Repel Boko Haram Attack in Gwoza, Recover Firearms

      Nigerian Navy Personnel

      Navy Arrests 9 Impostors Operating as Fake Coast Guards in Akwa…

      Lt. Col (Mrs) Onyechi Appolonia Anele, FSS, anipr

      Army Dismisses Allegations of Delayed Promotions, Stagnant Allowances

      Police Officer

      Enugu Police Raid IPOB/ESN Hideout, Nab 25 Militants, Recover Firearms

  • Event
    • Cross section of participants and guests at the Kaduna State Chapter world PR day

      Kaduna NIPR Urges Students to Embrace Evolving PR Landscape

      Engr. Saleeman Adedoyin Saleeman

      Global IT Leader Saleeman Adedoyin Launches Free Summer School in Ilorin…

      Celestine Achi, AI in PR specialist

      BOOK REVIEW: AI is Reshaping PR—Celestine Achi Shows Us How

      Saudi Arabia’s ‘Sleeping Prince’ Dies Weeks After PRNigeria Debunked Viral Recovery…

      Young Muhammadu Buhari jnr

      A Young Buhari’s Poetic Tribute to a Leader By Yushau A….

    • PR Nigeria Award
  • E-Paper
Home Features Sharia Courts and Religious Rights in Yoruba Land
  • Features

Sharia Courts and Religious Rights in Yoruba Land

By
Kabir Abdulsalam
-
February 12, 2025
Sharia Court
Sharia Court

Sharia Courts and Religious Rights in Yoruba Land
By Kabir Abdulsalam

A few weeks ago, a storm erupted across traditional and social media platforms. The cause? Reports surfaced that some Islamic scholars were advocating for the establishment of Sharia courts or independent Sharia panels in Nigeria’s SouthWest, the Yoruba land, a region renowned for its religious diversity.

The news sparked widespread uproar, particularly among non-Muslim groups and influencers from the Southeast, who perceived the move as an attempt to “Islamize” the region and expand Fulani dominance. The situation escalated when certain Islamic scholars urged their followers not to vote for any candidate opposed to Sharia courts.

Social media platforms were flooded with voices of opposition, with many condemning the proposal as an attack on democracy and religious freedom. But what is really going on? Is this about justice, religious rights, or politics? To understand the issue, we must first revisit its historical roots.

Sharia law has been part of Nigeria’s legal system for centuries. Before colonial rule, Islamic laws governed large parts of what is now Northern Nigeria. However, with the arrival of the British, a secular legal system was introduced, limiting Sharia law to personal matters such as marriage, inheritance, and religious obligations.

After Nigeria gained independence in 1960, the country adopted a federal system, granting each region a degree of autonomy. The debate over Sharia law simmered beneath the surface until 1999, when Governor Ahmed Sani Yerima of Zamfara State took a bold step—he fully implemented Sharia law, making Zamfara the first Nigerian state to do so. Several other northern states followed suit, despite strong opposition from human rights activists and the international community.

In Northern Nigeria, Sharia courts primarily handle cases involving Muslims, including issues like marriage, divorce, and inheritance. However, they also adjudicate criminal cases, which is where much of the controversy lies. Some Sharia court rulings—such as amputations for theft and death sentences for adultery—have sparked national and international outrage. One of the most infamous cases was that of Amina Lawal, a woman sentenced to death by stoning for adultery in 2002. The ruling was eventually overturned following massive public outcry.

Despite these controversies, many Muslims in the North support Sharia courts, arguing that they deliver swift and fair justice compared to the slow and often corrupt secular courts. But does this mean the system should be extended to the Southwest?

Nigeria is a secular state, meaning no religion should have special legal privileges over another. Critics argue that introducing Sharia courts in the Southwest would violate the country’s constitution. They also fear it could lead to conflicting legal systems, where different laws apply to individuals based on their religion.

Proponents, however, argue that the establishment of Sharia courts is in full compliance with Sections 275, 276, and 277 of the Nigerian Constitution. These sections explicitly provide for the creation of Sharia Courts of Appeal, using the word “shall,” which they interpret as a constitutional requirement rather than a suggestion.

Yet, critics worry that once Sharia is introduced, it may not remain optional for long. While it may initially apply only to Muslims, there is concern that future lawmakers could extend its influence, potentially eroding Nigeria’s secular legal framework. These concerns are shared by activists and legal experts alike.

Read Also:

  • IEDPU Praises CP Moshood Jimoh of Lagos Police for Exemplary Leadership
  • Troops Repel Boko Haram Attack in Gwoza, Recover Firearms
  • Troops Kill Three Terrorist Leaders in Sokoto Ambush, Recover Weapons

For many in the Southwest, particularly non-Muslims, the idea of Sharia courts represents more than just legal reform—it feels like an attempt to impose religious dominance. The fear is not just about the courts themselves but about what they symbolize.

Questions abound: Would businesses in the Southwest be affected? Could Sharia restrictions on alcohol, dress codes, and social activities gradually become normalized? While supporters argue that Sharia would only apply to Muslims, critics point to the North, where non-Muslims sometimes face indirect restrictions due to the dominance of Islamic law.

The involvement of Islamic scholars in politics has further fueled concerns. Some scholars have openly urged Muslims to vote against candidates who oppose Sharia courts in the Southwest. This raises serious questions about the role of religion in politics. Should religious leaders influence elections?

This is not the first time religion has been weaponized in Nigerian politics. Similar tactics have been used in past elections, where politicians leveraged religious sentiment to gain votes. The question now is: Is this push for Sharia courts truly about justice, or is it just another political chess move?

Several legal scholars and historians have warned about the dangers of mixing religion with politics. Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka once said, “When religion becomes a political weapon, expect nothing but destruction.” Nigeria has experienced enough religious conflicts in the past; do we want to add more fuel to the fire?

In response to these concerns, Islamic clerics and scholars held a press conference in Ibadan. They clarified that the establishment of Sharia courts should not be misconstrued as a threat to the rights of non-Muslims or an agenda to Islamize Nigeria. They explained that after multiple failed attempts to convince Southwestern states to establish Sharia Courts of Appeal, the Muslim community began launching Alternative Dispute Resolution platforms, known as “Independent Sharia Panels.”

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has also sought to clarify the role of these panels. Professor Ishaq Akintola, MURIC’s Executive Director, explained that the panels exist solely to mediate civil disputes brought to them voluntarily by Muslims and do not have jurisdiction over criminal cases. These panels are operational in Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, and Ekiti states, serving as platforms for Muslims to resolve civil disputes amicably within the context of Islamic principles.

Similarly, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), has urged Southwest leaders to endorse the formation of Sharia panels in the region to foster peace and religious harmony. He argued that Muslim marriages should be adjudicated based on Islamic laws rather than customary courts, which often lack expertise in Islamic jurisprudence.

If the push for Sharia courts is blocked, will it lead to further religious and political tension? Could it be used as a campaign tool by politicians to mobilize Muslim voters in the North? Could it fuel more religious extremism?

The debate over Sharia courts in the Southwest is about more than just legal reform—it’s about the future of religious coexistence in Nigeria. While Muslims have the right to practice their faith, that right must not infringe on the rights of others.

Nigerians must think critically: Is this about justice, or is it just another political game? The answer will shape the future of religious and political relations in the country. As the nation grapples with these questions, one thing is clear: the stakes are high, and the decisions made today will have far-reaching consequences for generations to come.

 

VISIT OUR OTHER WEBSITES
PRNigeria.com EconomicConfidential.com PRNigeria.com/Hausa/
EmergencyDigest.com PoliticsDigest.ng TechDigest.ng
HealthDigest.ng SpokesPersonsdigest.com TeensDigest.ng
ArewaAgenda.com Hausa.ArewaAgenda.com YAShuaib.com
  • TAGS
  • Ahmed Sani Yerima
  • British
  • Sharia courts
  • Sharia Law
Previous articleNew MNJTF Command Assesses Troops’  Readiness in Borno
Next articleMinister Momoh Inaugurates Boards of North-West and South-East Development Commissions
Kabir Abdulsalam
Kabir Abdulsalam
Xing

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA

Troops Kill Three Terrorist Leaders in Sokoto Ambush, Recover Weapons

Leon Usigbe

Death, you can’t be Proud of this By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem 

Bashir Adewale Adeniyi Customs Boss

How Customs is Tightening Borders to Stop Illicit Cash Flows – CG Adeniyi 

FACT-CHECK: Did a N10bn Lafia Flyover Collapse Three Weeks After Commissioning in Nasarawa?

Tinubu’s Plateau Gambit – Yilwatda, 2027, and the Return of the Machiavellian Strategist By Abdullahi O Haruna Haruspice

NAF combat-ready Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) operators

NAF Bolsters Battlespace Dominance with New Combat-Ready UAV Operators

PHOTOS: How Nigerian Military’s Coordinated Air and Ground Assault Crushed Terrorists in Warari Operation

Brigadier General Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu, Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC)

NYSC Seeks Stakeholder Support to Enhance Orientation Exercises

Late President Muhammadu Buhari

Walson-Jack: Buhari Was a Pillar of Integrity in Nigeria’s Public Sector

CDS Musa

CDS Hails ‘Produce for Lagos’ as Blueprint for National Security

Military Troops in Action

Nigerian Troops Neutralize Over 100 Bandits in Decisive Warari Operation

NSCDC, DSS Deepen Synergy to Enhance Security in FCT

Recent Posts

  • IEDPU Praises CP Moshood Jimoh of Lagos Police for Exemplary Leadership
  • Troops Repel Boko Haram Attack in Gwoza, Recover Firearms
  • Troops Kill Three Terrorist Leaders in Sokoto Ambush, Recover Weapons
  • Navy Arrests 9 Impostors Operating as Fake Coast Guards in Akwa Ibom
  • Army Dismisses Allegations of Delayed Promotions, Stagnant Allowances
  • Home
  • About
  • Adverts
  • Contact
© 2020 PRNigeria. All Rights Reserved.
Latest News
IEDPU Praises CP Moshood Jimoh of Lagos Police for Exemplary LeadershipTroops Repel Boko Haram Attack in Gwoza, Recover FirearmsTroops Kill Three Terrorist Leaders in Sokoto Ambush, Recover WeaponsNavy Arrests 9 Impostors Operating as Fake Coast Guards in Akwa IbomArmy Dismisses Allegations of Delayed Promotions, Stagnant AllowancesCourt Remands TikToker Arrested by DSS for claiming President Tinubu diedDeath, you can’t be Proud of this By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem Tinubu Mourns Veteran State House Correspondent, Leon UsigbePolice Arrest 22 Cultists in OgunEnugu Police Raid IPOB/ESN Hideout, Nab 25 Militants, Recover FirearmsTroops Eliminate Notorious Bandit Kingpin ‘Dan Dari Biyar’ in Sokoto OperationTinubu, NUJ, Police, and Military Mourn the Death of Gusau EmirCustoms Moves Against 223 Importers in N379bn Permit BreachCOAS Endorses NDC’s Research on Advanced Military TechnologiesAnambra Police Arrest Suspected Child Trafficker, Rescue 11 Abducted Children
X whatsapp