 and Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III){kind=link}
The President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) and Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has voiced support for the establishment of an Independent Shariah Arbitration Panel in Ekiti and Oyo States.
Expressing concern over increasing intolerance and disregard for Muslim rights, particularly in southern Nigeria, the Sultan noted that Muslims in the Southwest have been denied their constitutional right to a Shariah Court of Appeal.
In a statement released Wednesday by NSCIA’s Deputy National Legal Adviser, Imam Haroun Eze, the Sultan criticized political and traditional resistance to the proposed arbitration panel in Ekiti.
He also referenced the recent controversy surrounding the planned inauguration of a similar panel in Oyo State, which was postponed indefinitely due to public opposition.
According to him, the arbitration panel is a voluntary initiative meant to resolve civil and marital disputes among consenting Muslims.
It aims to bridge the gap created by the absence of Shariah Courts in the Southwest, despite the constitutional provision allowing their establishment and the significant Muslim population in the region.
The monarch further decried actions such as the refusal to allow female students to wear the hijab, despite a Supreme Court ruling affirming their right, describing such restrictions as deliberate attempts to suppress Islamic practices.
Citing Section 275 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Sultan emphasized that both Shariah Arbitration and the Shariah Court of Appeal are legally recognized, just like the Customary Court of Appeal, which exists in all Southwest states.
“The NSCIA firmly supports the creation of an Independent Shariah Arbitration Panel in Ekiti and Oyo States, especially since Muslims in the Southwest have been denied their legal right to a Shariah Court of Appeal,” he stated.
He urged governors and traditional leaders in the region to uphold the constitutional rights of Muslims, ensuring their freedom to practice their faith without interference. “Just as others are allowed to live according to their beliefs, Muslims should also be given the same right,” he added.