Moves to implement Shariah law in the southwest is not to Islamise the country.
This formed the consensus of participants at the 2025 Annual Ramadan lecture of Muslim Lawyers Association of Nigeria, MULAN, Oyo State Branch, held in Ibadan.
Delivering the lecture entitled ”Shariah Beyond The Criminal Justice System: Clarifying the Myths and Conceptions Surrounding the Application of Shariah Law in Nigeria,” the guest lecturer, who is a Professor of Law at the University of Ilorin, Kwara State, AbdulRazzaq Alaro, noted that the argument against the application of Shariah law in Nigeria was borne out of misconception of its purpose and objectives.
Professor Alaro, who commended MULAN, Oyo State chapter for the topic, advised stakeholders in Islamic affairs, to embark on campaigns to clear all the misconceptions about the application of the Shariah Law in southwest.
“I am quite aware of peculiarity of Southern States and the extra – layers of tricks against application of shari’ah, yet, I strongly believe that where Muslims in the region are United in their demands and presentations, the government will see reason to establish the Shari’ah courts to ensure that the fundamental rights of Muslims to practise their religion is preserved and guaranteed .”
In their remarks, Chairman on the occasion who is also the Executive Secretary, Muslims in Southwest Nigeria, MUSWEN, Professor Muslih Yahya, and Chairman, MULAN, Oyo State Branch, Alhaji Ismail Saka, agreed that the lecture was timely to correct wrong notions about Shariah and its implementations.
In their goodwill messages, two Senior Advocates of Nigeria, SANs, Musibau Adetunbi and Lasun Sanusi, called for more enlightenment and actions to achieve the establishment of shariah courts in the southwest.
In an interview with newsmen, Chairman 2025 MULAN Ramadan Programmes Planning committee, Barrister Akeem Agbaje, explained that the choice of the theme was informed by the recent controversies that erupted as a result of the establishment and the proposed establishment of Shariah Arbitration panels in some South West States.
“We must first clear from peoples’ mind the cause of the ongoing controversies that erupted as a result of recent clamour for the establishment of Shari’ah courts in the Southwest.”
The 2025 MULAN Oyo State Branch Annual Ramadan Lecture which also featured Awards and recognition to some eminent personalities including the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Barrister Bayo Lawal, had in attendance Oyo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Biodun Aikomo.
Others include President, Oyo State Customary Court of Appeal, Justice Tajudeen AbdulGaniyu, federal lawmaker representing Ibadan, NorthWest/SouthWest, Honourable Adedeji Stanley- Olajide and members of the Bench and Bar.
