₦airaland Forum

Nigerian Constitution Allows Muslims In South-West States To Set Up Shariah Panels — Sultan-led JNI

The Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) has stated that the Nigerian Constitution allows the establishment of Sharia panels in southwestern region of the country.

JNI, being led by the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar, noted that Section 275 of the 1999 Constitution grants states the authority to establish Sharia courts, and by extension, Shariah panels.

The group argued that this provision enables Muslims in the Southwest to set up such panels, which would handle civil cases involving Muslims.

This was stated in a press statement issued by JNI Secretary General, Professor Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, in a statement in Kaduna State.

The group said: “The undue resistance, inflammatory rhetoric, and outright distortion of facts by certain groups opposing these panels are deeply concerning and least expected from a people that claim to be tolerant.

“The 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended) guarantees the religious freedoms of all citizens, including Muslims. Specifically, sections 38 and 275-279 provide for the establishment and operation of Shari’a courts for civil matters where applicable."

Professor Khalid said the Sharia arbitration panels “do not infringe on the rights of non-Muslims but merely offer a voluntary alternative dispute resolution mechanism for Muslims who choose to settle personal matters such as marriage, inheritance, and family disputes according to Islamic law.

“For the discerning mind, Islam has very interesting and enriching inheritance codes that have remained inalienable to Muslims’ lives. It is, therefore, mischievous and deceptive to suggest that these panels aim to ‘impose’ Shari’a on non-Muslims.

“The panels are strictly for Muslims, adjudicating only cases where both parties consent, a practice that exists in various pluralistic societies worldwide.”

He recalled that Shari’a adjudication is not new to the South West, adding, “Historically, Yoruba Muslims have settled civil disputes through customary Islamic mechanisms, predating colonial rule, and even under British rule, Native Courts recognised Shari’a-based adjudication in predominantly Muslim communities.”

He called on those leading the campaign of misinformation to stop the misrepresentation, unwarranted hostility and distortion of empirical facts by instilling fear in the populace against Shari’a panels to desist from their divisive agenda.

OLAADEGBU:
JNI, being led by the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar, noted that Section 275 of the 1999 Constitution grants states the authority to establish Sharia courts, and by extension, Shariah panels.

OLAADEGBU:
JNI, being led by the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar, noted that Section 275 of the 1999 Constitution grants States the authority to establish Sharia courts, and by extension, Shariah panels.

TrackerSK:
I said this before,and I will say it again.That their must be Sharia court in south West.Its just a matter of time.So,you all can go and fvck yourself for now

Mrfeel:
There are some Yoruba familys with both christians and Muslims, like tinubu he is a Muslim his wife is a Christian, how will shari'a law settle disputes in such families?

Acekidc4:
Lies

khalling2008:
Nobody in the southwest can stop the Sharia panel even the so-called state governor can't stop it talk less nuisance on social media that speaks against It

If you call yourself Omoluabi and go against the rights of Muslims in the South West, you are intolerant of Omoluabi. I have one message for those intolerant Omoluabi: when the shariàl panel is inaugurated in all Southeast states, you can relocate to the iPod region.

Mrfeel:
There are some Yoruba familys with both christians and Muslims, like tinubu he is a Muslim his wife is a Christian, how will shari'a law settle disputes in such families?

Tranquillity360:
I see Yoruba Muslims winning this war against Yoruba Christians.

OkpaNsukkaisBae:
Seconded.
Live and let live.

Tranquillity360:
I see Yoruba Muslims winning this war against Yoruba Christians.

Morenikeji090:
To hell with your useless sharia law don’t just disturb yourself that nonsense law can’t work in Yoruba land…

Greenback:
Oga it is the yoruba muslims who are against Shari'a in the south west and not the Christians.
For example,these excess yoruba people here attacking the Igbos and Peter Obi day and night are all muslims and all of them are against the Shari'a

Benzigler:
He is right and it must be implemented whether you like it or not, who is going to stop the sultan?

pongwa:
this authority was bequeathed to states. Who now acts in behalf of the 'states'?
This is an ambiguity please explain further

khalling2008:
Nobody in the southwest can stop the Sharia panel even the so-called state governor can't stop it talk less nuisance on social media that speaks against It

If you call yourself Omoluabi and go against the rights of Muslims in the South West, you are intolerant of Omoluabi. I have one message for those intolerant Omoluabi: when the shariàl panel is inaugurated in all Southeast states, you can relocate to the iPod region.