The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has clarified reports about the alleged imposition of Shariah law in South West Nigeria.
Professor Ishaq Akintola, MURIC’s Executive Director, gave the clarification during an interview on Wednesday.
His remarks came on the heels of the inaugural public sitting of the Independent Shariah Arbitration Panel in Ekiti State, held at the Oja Oba Central Mosque in Ado-Ekiti.
According to him, these panels are strictly advisory and lack the power to impose penalties or enforce rulings.
This explanation was in a bid to clear misconceptions surrounding Shariah arbitration panels in the South West.
“The Shariah panels are for civil matters only,” Akintola explained. “They cannot address criminal cases, nor do they have enforcement powers. Their decisions are voluntary and non-binding.”
Akintola described the panels as platforms designed to mediate civil disputes voluntarily brought by Muslims, emphasizing that they operate within the bounds of Islamic principles but have no authority to enforce rulings.
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He compared the panels to committees found in religious organizations, which serve advisory roles. “In churches, there are committees for finance, logistics, or planning. These committees cannot impose penalties or force contributions from members. Similarly, the Shariah panels are voluntary and purely mediatory,” he said.
He dispelled fears that the panels enforce punitive aspects of Islamic law, such as imprisonment or asset seizure.
“The idea that these panels enforce Islamic law punishments is a blatant falsehood,” he stated. “They are simply committees aimed at resolving disputes among willing parties. Their existence does not interfere with the legal framework of the country.”
The panels, which operate in Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, and Ekiti states, provide an alternative dispute resolution platform for Muslims who wish to resolve conflicts within the context of Islamic principles.
Akintola’s comments came amidst reports of the role of Shariah arbitration panels in Nigeria. He called on Nigerians, especially in the South West, to understand the panels’ function as non-threatening to the nation’s legal system.
“We urge the public to disregard misinformation and view the Shariah panels for what they truly are: a voluntary, non-binding means of conflict resolution for Muslims who choose to use them,” Akintola said.
His statement seeks to quell tensions and foster understanding about the panels, emphasizing that they complement existing legal frameworks rather than compete with them.