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The Muslim Rights Concern has clarified that Shariah arbitration panels operating in the six South West states are purely advisory and lack the authority to impose penalties or enforce their rulings.
This clarification was made by MURIC’s Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, during an interview with journalists on Wednesday.
Akintola explained that the panels exist solely to mediate civil disputes brought to them voluntarily by Muslims and do not have jurisdiction over criminal cases.
“The Shariah panels are for civil matters only. They cannot address criminal cases, nor do they have enforcement powers. Their decisions are voluntary and non-binding,” Akintola stated.
He likened the panels to committees commonly found in religious organisations, emphasising their non-compulsory nature.
“In churches, there are committees for finance, logistics, or planning. These committees cannot enforce contributions or impose penalties on members. Similarly, the Shariah panels are advisory and voluntary,” he explained.
The panels operate in Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, and Ekiti states, serving as a platform for Muslims to resolve civil disputes amicably within the context of Islamic principles.
Akintola’s statement followed the first public sitting of the Independent Shariah Arbitration Panel in Ekiti State, held at the Oja Oba Central Mosque in Ado-Ekiti.
Addressing misconceptions, he reiterated that these panels cannot impose punishments such as imprisonment or asset seizure.
“The idea that these panels enforce Islamic law punishments is a blatant falsehood. They are committees to mediate disputes among willing parties,” Akintola added, urging the public to disregard misinformation about their operations.
Despite the explanations, some traditional leaders in the South West have voiced opposition to the idea of any form of Shariah law being implemented in the region.
The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams, rejected any proposals to adopt Shariah law in Oyo State, warning that it could lead to conflict in the multi-religious region.
“I am not against Shariah law; it is a good law. But it is easier to implement in the North. Even in the North, Shariah law is not deeply enforced in the Middle Belt because the majority there are Christians,” Adams said.
Adams argued that implementing Shariah law in the southwest, known for its religious diversity, would be highly challenging and could create unnecessary tension.
MURIC called on Nigerians, particularly in the South West, to understand the role of Shariah panels as purely mediatory and non-threatening to the legal frameworks already in place.
