- Ekiti State held its inaugural session at Oja Oba Central Mosque, Ado-Ekiti, last Thursday
- The panel, led by three Kadhis, addressed two marriage-related cases, resolving one and adjourning the other for further investigation
- The UK and European branch of the Afenifere group opposed the establishment of Sharia law in the South-West, warning of potential disunity
The Independent Shariah Arbitration Panel in Ekiti State has conducted its first public sitting at the Oja Oba Central Mosque in Ado-Ekiti, marking a milestone in its efforts to address disputes within the Muslim community.
The inaugural session, held on Thursday, January 15, was confirmed by residents and the Executive Director of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), Prof. Ishaq Akintola.
According to Akintola, the initiative is a step forward in providing justice for Muslims seeking arbitration under Islamic principles.
The panel, led by three Kadhis—Imam Abdullahi Abdul-Mutolib, Imam Abdulraheem Junaid-Bamigbola, and Dr. Ibrahim Aminullahi-Ogunrinde—deliberated on two marriage-related disputes.
In the first case, the panel resolved the conflict through a consent judgment, aided by prior family interventions, facilitating a peaceful settlement.
The second case involved allegations of neglect by a wife accusing her husband of failing in his marital responsibilities.
The matter was adjourned until January 30 to allow further investigations, ensuring a fair and thorough decision.
The sitting has sparked significant debate, with some Yoruba socio-cultural groups voicing strong opposition to the establishment of Sharia law in the South-West region.
The UK and Europe branch of Afenifere, a prominent Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, condemned the move, warning that it could lead to divisions among Yoruba people.
The group rejected calls for establishing Shari’ah law in the Southwest, warning that such initiatives could create disunity among Yoruba people.
Afenifere stated that the South-West is culturally distinct from the predominantly Muslim Northern region, where Muslims are in the majority, and cautioned against dividing the Yoruba along religious lines.
The group said Yoruba people are too intelligent and enlightened to be gaslighted along religious divides.
Sanusi threatens to strip titles from traditional leaders who abuse their wives
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, issued a stern warning to traditional titleholders in his domain, threatening to strip them of their titles if they are found guilty of beating their wives.
Sanusi also called for the urgent review of Section 55 of Nigeria’s Penal Code, which permits husbands to "correct" their wives in a lawful manner, as long as it does not cause "grievous hurt."