• Muslim media practitioners defend Shari’ah arbitration in Ekiti
The Ogun state government has warned against any attempt to establish a Sharia Court in the state.
In a statement yesterday, Governor Dapo Abiodun submitted that Sharia Courts could not be legally constituted by individuals or groups without legal backing.
The government was reacting to a notice announcing the launch of a Sharia Court in the state.
This is coming on the heels of a protest by the Yoruba Regional Alliance (YRA) Worldwide, in collaboration with all Yoruba self-determination organisations, against the Sharia Court panel in Ekiti.
According to the statement, Ogun State only recognises courts established through the legal framework of the Nigerian Constitution, adding that a Sharia Court does not form part of the legal framework operating in the state.
“The Ogun State Government has noted the circulation of a digital notice announcing the launch of a Shari’ah Court in Ogun State.
“No Sharia Court is authorised to operate within Ogun State. The courts that are legally empowered to adjudicate disputes arising within Ogun State are those established by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or by State Laws, which are: Magistrates’ Courts, High Court, Customary Courts, Customary Court of Appeal, Federal High Court, National Industrial Court, Court of Appeal, and Supreme Court,” the statement read in part.
RECALL that the Ekiti State Government had earlier distance itself from the Shari’ah panel.
However, the protesters gathered at the Adebayo area of Ado-Ekiti where they chanted songs, carried placards with various inscriptions like “No to Sharia in Yorubaland”.
In an interview, Chairman of Yoruba Nation Religious Council (YONAREC), Oluwafemi Edafemi, said the group was opposed to introduction of the Islamic legal system in the region.
Others who spoke appealed to government to prevail on the Muslim community to rescind their decision.
Meanwhile, the Ekiti State chapter of the Muslim Media Practitioners (MMPN) has said the establishment of Independent Shariah Arbitration Panel was to spotlight the lawful daily deeds and misdeeds of adherents with a view to correcting and amending them through sermons, admonitions and directives where necessary.
The chapter chairman, Yusuf Akeusola, who led other members of the association on courtesy visits to media organisations in the state, also allayed the fears in some quarters about the introduction of the panel.
The MMPN chair said the visits became imperative in view of the recent misgivings regarding the recently established Shariah Arbitration Panel, which some sections perceived as a threat to the homogeneity and unity of Ekiti State.
He underscored the importance of accurate reportage on sensitive issues, particularly about Muslims and Islam, and adherence to best ethical practices to avoid unnecessary tension.
Akeusola urged media organisations to always be mindful of translation of news and names of Islamic import from English to Yoruba to avoid dissemination of false information to the public.
He explained that the Sharia Arbitration Panel was not a court as being described by some Yoruba newscasters, adding that the body could not sanction, sentence nor penalise any individual who agrees to feature at its sitting.
