The Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, has rejected the establishment of a Sharia Court in the state, calling on the people behind “the creation or operation of this unauthorised court to immediately cease all related activities and disband the illegal entity and all its apparatus.”
In a statement he personally signed, Abiodun, asserted that Ogun State’s legal framework does not recognise Sharia Court, saying only courts recognised by the Nigerian constitution are allowed in the state.
The governor’s statement came in the wake of a flier circulating in the state, announcing the launch of a Sharia Court.
In the flier sighted by our correspondent, the Sharia Arbitration Committee, Ogun State, said, “Alhamdulillah, it’s eventually established in Ogun State. A Sharia Court, which Ogun State Muslims have been yearning for, for ages, is finally here.”
“You can now seek redress or have your case adjudicated based on Qur’an and Sunnah by reputable Islamic jurists.
“The Shari’ah Court, under the able leadership of eminent, reputable and erudite Islamic scholars like Shaykh Dr. Khidri Mustafa – Grand Qadi, Shaykh Abdu-r-Rasheed Mayeleke, Dr. Musa Afis and a host of competent Islamic jurists, is opened is to all Muslims, male and female.
“The Shariah Court handles cases on the marital dispute; Imamship tussle; organisational conflict; child custodian and guardianship; and inheritance imbroglio”
However, Abiodun, in his statement, warned against organisers against Sharia court sitting, saying Ogun State only recognises courts established through the legal framework of the Nigerian Constitution.
The development in Ogun State comes a week after the Governor of Ekiti State, Abiodun Oyebanji, similarly rejected the establishment of Sharia Court in his state, declaring it illegal.
