The ongoing debate over the establishment of Sharia panels in the South-West region of Nigeria has taken a new turn, as Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and Secretary-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), has publicly endorsed the idea, arguing that it would foster lasting peace in the region.
In an exclusive interview with Channels Television’s socio-political programme Inside Sources with Laolu Akande, Oloyede made a compelling case for the establishment of these panels, emphasizing the importance of peaceful coexistence and religious tolerance among the diverse communities in the South-West.
“I believe that for sustainable peace, there is absolutely nothing wrong with Muslims having Sharia courts in the South-West. We must rethink how we view the role of religious practices in our society,” Oloyede said. His remarks come at a time when the proposed establishment of Sharia panels in states like Ogun and Oyo has stirred controversy, particularly within the Christian community and traditional institutions.
Sharia panels are committees of Islamic scholars that focus on resolving marriage and inheritance disputes in accordance with Islamic law. While the concept is not new, with such panels already existing in parts of Nigeria, particularly in the northern region, the push to introduce them in the South-West has sparked intense opposition from various quarters.
A Call for Religious Harmony
The South-West is known for its religious diversity, with large populations of both Christians and Muslims living side by side for generations. The region has long been a model of peaceful coexistence, with both faiths sharing a mutual respect for one another. However, this harmony is now under threat, according to Oloyede, who warned that failure to adapt to the evolving needs of the Muslim community could lead to resentment and social tension.
“I’m a Muslim from the South-West, and I can tell you that we, as Muslims, are psychologically paying for the peace that we are talking about,” Oloyede asserted. “When you have a situation where religious tolerance is the order of the day, but the laws do not cater to the needs of all groups, you create an environment where people feel left out.”
The proposal to establish Sharia panels has met resistance, with critics arguing that such courts would alienate other religious and ethnic groups in the region. The recent opposition from Ogun and Oyo state governments, who have ruled out the idea, further adds to the growing divide on the matter. Traditional institutions, which are influential in the South-West, have also voiced their concerns, fearing that Sharia panels could disrupt the region’s longstanding interfaith peace.
But Oloyede is firm in his belief that the establishment of these panels would not disrupt the region’s unity. He pointed to the fact that similar institutions already operate in other parts of the country, especially the northern region, without causing significant religious or social upheaval.
Rebutting the Critics: A Need for Understanding
Oloyede also took the opportunity to challenge those critical of the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, who has been at the forefront of advocating for the inclusion of Sharia law in dispute resolution in Nigeria. Critics have often accused the Sultan and other Muslim leaders of overreaching, but Oloyede believes that such accusations stem from misunderstanding the issue.
“Muslims in Nigeria practice the same Islam,” Oloyede explained. “We should be able to tolerate one another and understand each other’s concerns. The Sultan is not speaking out of turn; he is simply advocating for the rights of Muslims to have access to legal avenues that respect their faith and traditions.”
In a pointed remark, Oloyede mentioned that the issue of Sharia panels in the South-West was not a new concept. He noted that a PhD thesis on the topic had been written in 2007, with an appraisal of Sharia panels in Oyo State. Interestingly, the current Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, shares the same last name as the professor who wrote the thesis, although Oloyede did not speculate on any familial ties between the two.
“I find it amusing that people are acting like this is a new issue,” he said with a smile. “The topic has been studied academically for years. Yet today, we’re being told that it’s a threat to peace. We must stop building unnecessary tension around this issue.”
Oloyede pointed out that Muslim marriages in Nigeria often go unrecognized by the state, as they are not covered by the formal legal system. In cases where there are marital disputes, Muslims are left with limited recourse, as they are often forced to approach customary courts, where judges may not have the expertise in Islamic law.
“When a Muslim gets married under Islamic rites, there is no legal avenue for resolving disputes based on Islamic principles,” Oloyede lamented. “If a dispute arises, I have to go to a customary court, where the judge knows next to nothing about Islamic marriage laws. That is a clear injustice.”
Sharia Courts and the Constitution
Oloyede also reminded the public that the Nigerian Constitution provides for the establishment of Sharia courts of appeal, but only in states that allow it. This provision, he argued, should be respected in the South-West as well, where the Muslim community has long called for equal recognition of their legal needs.
“Sharia courts of appeal exist in various parts of the country, particularly in the north. We are only asking for the same recognition in the South-West, where Muslims have lived peacefully with their Christian and traditional counterparts for generations,” he said.
While the debate continues to unfold, Oloyede’s call for understanding and tolerance serves as a timely reminder of the need to protect the rights of religious minorities in Nigeria. He urged both government and religious leaders to engage in dialogue and find common ground on the issue of Sharia panels, emphasizing that it was not a question of imposing religious laws on others but ensuring that all citizens have access to a legal system that respects their faith and customs.
