Shariah laws and arbitration panels exist across all six southwestern Nigerian states but lack the authority to enforce their rulings, according to the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).
This was disclosed by MURIC’s Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, during an interview with journalists on Wednesday, January 22, 2025.
“The Shariah panels are for civil matters only. They cannot address criminal cases, nor do they have enforcement powers. Their decisions are voluntary and non-binding,” Akintola said.
He compared the panels to committees found in other religious settings. “In churches, there are committees for finance, logistics, or planning. These committees cannot enforce contributions or impose penalties on members. Similarly, the Shariah panels are advisory and voluntary,” he explained.
The panels operate in Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, and Ekiti states, providing arbitration for Muslims who voluntarily bring civil disputes to them.
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Despite public concerns, Akintola reiterated that the panels cannot compel compliance or impose penalties such as imprisonment or asset seizure.
Akintola’s explanations followed the first public sitting of the Independent Shariah Arbitration Panel in Ekiti State last week, held at the Oja Oba Central Mosque in Ado-Ekiti.
“The idea that these panels enforce Islamic law punishments is a blatant falsehood. They are committees to mediate disputes among willing parties,” Akintola added, urging the public to disregard misinformation.
Meanwhile, some traditional leaders in the southwest have rejected the proposal of any Shariah law, claiming it will lead to anarchy.
Rejecting the proposal, the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams, recently said that introducing Sharia law in Oyo State would create significant problems.
He argued that implementing Sharia law in Yorubaland, a multi-religious region, would be extremely challenging.
“I am not against Sharia law; it is a good law. But it is easier to implement in the North. Even in the North, Sharia law is not deeply enforced in the Middle Belt because the majority there are Christians,” Adams said.
