Christian and Muslim leaders have clashed over the planned inauguration of shari’a arbitration panel across the South-Western states of Ogun, Osun, Ondo, Ekiti, Oyo and Lagos by the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs.
This comes as the proponents of the Islamic code said there was no going back on their decision to set up the panel to adjudicate and resolve issues among the South-West Muslim Ummah.
The President, Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in Ekiti State, Dr Hammed Bakare and the Chairman of the Shari’a Committee of Oyoland, Dr Rafiu Bello, told newsmen in separate interviews on Monday that the shari’a panel would be inaugurated despite the opposition to it.
However, the development was opposed by the government and other leaders.
Following this, the planned panel inauguration billed to hold at the Muslim Community Islamic Centre in Mobolaje Area, Oyo, on January 11 was suspended indefinitely.
Last week, the panel held its maiden sitting at the Ekiti Central Mosque, Ado Ekiti with three Khadis forming the panel.
The Khadis include Imam Abdullahi Abdul-Mutolib, Imam Abdulraheem Junaid-Bamigbola and Dr Ibrahim Aminullahi-Ogunrinde.
The state Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, Dayo Apata, (SAN) said the existing legal structure in the state did not recognise the shari’a court or arbitration panel.
