JNI Defends Shariah Panels in South-West, Cites Constitutional Backing

The Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), led by the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has asserted that the Nigerian Constitution permits the establishment of Shariah arbitration panels in the South-West, emphasizing that they serve as a voluntary dispute resolution mechanism exclusively for Muslims.

In a statement released via Sahara Reporters’ official X handle, JNI Secretary General, Professor Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, strongly condemned what he described as “undue resistance, inflammatory rhetoric, and outright distortion of facts” by those opposing the panels. He noted that Sections 275-279 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) explicitly provide for the creation and operation of Shariah courts in states that adopt them, which, by extension, allows for the establishment of Shariah arbitration panels.

Professor Aliyu clarified that these panels are strictly for Muslims, handling only civil cases such as marriage, inheritance, and family disputes where both parties consent. He dismissed claims that the initiative seeks to impose Shariah law on non-Muslims, labeling such assertions as “mischievous and deceptive.”

He further highlighted the historical presence of Islamic adjudication in the South-West, stating:

“Historically, Yoruba Muslims have settled civil disputes through customary Islamic mechanisms, predating colonial rule. Even under British rule, Native Courts recognized Shariah-based adjudication in predominantly Muslim communities.”

According to JNI, the panels are not a new development but a continuation of an existing legal tradition that respects religious freedoms as enshrined in Section 38 of the Constitution.

Call to End Misinformation

The JNI warned against what it called a “campaign of misinformation” aimed at creating unnecessary fear and religious tension. The group urged critics to respect the constitutional rights of Muslims to practice their faith and use Shariah-based arbitration without interference.

“The continued misrepresentation and hostility toward these panels are baseless and divisive. We urge those leading this false narrative to desist from distorting empirical facts and sowing seeds of discord among Nigerians,” Professor Aliyu stated.

As debates over the Shariah panels intensify, observers note that the issue reflects broader conversations about religious pluralism, constitutional rights, and the evolving dynamics of legal systems in Nigeria.