Addressing Misinformation Around Sharia Arbitration Panel-By Oladejo Tajudeen

On April 13, 2024, Nigerians heard bizarre news that looked like a nightmare but was, in fact, reality. A group of people dressed in camouflage and bearing arms and other weapons invaded the Agodi Area of Ibadan, where the government secretariat is situated, declaring “Democratic Republic of The Yoruba.” An act that violates the law of the country and shakes its existence, coexistence, and sovereignty.

It took a combined effort of security agencies, including tactical units of the police, Nigerian Army, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Operation Burst, Amotekun, and the State Security Services, to douse the tension of the invaders. Every critical mind wonders what can prompt any sensible being to take such an abominable action, the responses range from ignorance, brainwashing, arrogance, lack of respect for the nation’s constitution and authority, foreign sponsoring, and a host of other factors.

Recently, a Sharia arbitration panel was launched in Ekiti, just like in Oyo town, though such panels have been in existence in Lagos, Osogbo, Ibadan, and other notable towns. However, it was met with opposition from those infamous Yoruba groups and some fanatics who hide behind curtains to fight Islam and the nation at large.

Such opposition doesn’t surprise the right-minded people of the great nation because they know these groups are the same set of people who displayed their ignorance at Ibadan secretariat. They aim to create a nation where other religions’ adherents cannot live or have any right to worship. Their philosophy is clear from their actions at Agodi.

Like their past enmity against Islam, they begin to create different false narratives against Sharia principles like ‘they will not allow you to eat during Ramadan, they will be cutting thieves’ hands, and others’. One can only laugh at this level of ignorance!

In response to those false allegations, MURIC replied intellectually: “A lot of disinformation has transpired. Fanatical Christians and Yoruba nation activists have engaged in demarketing Shari’ah. They told Nigerians that we want to establish the full criminal aspect of Shari’ah in the South-West. They told them that the arms of thieves would be cut off.

They said Christians would be dragged to the Shari’ah courts. “All these are lies from the pit of Jahannam. They are merely giving a dog a bad name in order to hang it. Most of the lies are targeted at the elimination of Islam in Yorubaland. What we are asking for is civil Shariah only. It does not involve cutting of hands, and Christians are not involved.” “In fact, no single Christian has been taken to any Shari’ah panel since the panels have been sitting since 2002 at Oja Oba Central Mosque, Ibadan, Oyo State; since 2003 at Abesan Estate Central Mosque, Lagos; since 2018 at the Egba Central Mosque, Kobiti, Abeokuta, Ogun State; since 2005 at the Osun State Muslim Community Secretariat, Ring Road, Oshogbo, Osun State, etc.

“Our Shari’ah panels are mere arbitration committees. They have no force of law. They are not courts. Stop misleading the Yoruba people and stop inciting them against their Muslim neighbors. This admonition is for those who are ready to listen and those who love the truth.

“Pathetically, these ignoramus and fanatics, whose interests are only to deprive Muslims – who are also indisputable sons of Yoruba land and citizens of this great nation – did not stop at demarketing Sharia.

They went ahead to misinform the royal fathers and coerce them to dance to their tune. It is on this note that Ansarul Huda Islamic Organisation strongly condemns the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe’s, decision to disband the Sharia arbitration panel. This move is a blatant infringement on the fundamental rights of Muslims in Ekiti State to practice their faith.

The panel’s operations are confined to the Muslim community and do not infringe on the rights of non-Muslims. The royal father’s decision is a clear violation of Section 38 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), which guarantees the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion. Section 275 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) provides that there shall be, for any state that requires it, a Shari’ah Court of Appeal for that state.

The Sharia arbitration panel was established to provide a platform for resolving disputes among willing Muslims, promoting peace, unity, and understanding within the community. By fostering harmony and social cohesion, there will be opportunities for socioeconomic development, benefiting the broader society.

We, therefore, stand in solidarity with the Muslim Community of Ekiti State, the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, and the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Ekiti, in rejecting the monarch’s decision.

We urge the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti to reconsider his stance and allow the Sharia arbitration panel to continue its operations. Royal fathers are fathers of all, regardless of religion or political affiliation. May your reign be long, guided by righteousness.

We also call on the state government to intervene and protect the rights of Muslims in Ekiti State; the state and nation belong to all. Sharia panel is in line with the Nigerian constitution, So, why will the Muslims be deprived of such right? Where is fairness and equity, which are precursors for peaceful coexistence?

Sharia arbitration panel is only for conscious Muslims who want their disputes settled through the panel, not even by all Muslims. So, what is the concern of the so-called Christians and the secessionist?

Let us reiterate, once more and louder, that we are all Yoruba, and no one can take that birthright from us. By extension, no one can deprive us of our fundamental human rights.

We urge Muslim organisations, Masajid, Madrasa to continue educating the public on the meaning and values of Sharia while at the same time debunking the aspersions of these naysayers.

As a law-abiding community, we should continue to demand for our fundamental human and religious rights as enshrined in Nigerian constitution. We equally ask all human rights activists, righteous Christians to shun selective struggle and stand with Muslim ummah in this struggle.

We pray Almighty Allah help our nation grow and assist us in overcoming the secessionists who aim at nothing but the downfall of our nation and disruption of peaceful coexistence.

Dr. Oladejo Tajudeen Abefe , National Secretary of Ansarul Huda Islamic Organisation writes from Iwo, Osun State