Makinde intervenes, Islamic Council suspends Shariah Court inauguration after outcry from netizens
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Outcry from netizens has led to the intervention of Oyo Governor Seyi Makinde and the suspension of the inauguration of a Shariah Court by the Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria (SCSN) in the state planned for 11 January 2025.
The indefinite postponement on Tuesday followed negative reactions on social media after the Oyo SCSN the same day had announced it would import from the North and establish an Islamic Court in a state that is not predominantly Muslim.
Makinde in a broadcast acknowledged the planned Sharia Court and the controversy it aroused.
“About the establishment of Sharia court in Oyo town, people may try, but for us, I swore to uphold our laws and the Constitution of Nigeria,” he said.
“If their actions are within the law, fine, if not they should expect that I will insist the law must be followed.”
The SCSN had scheduled the inauguration at the Muslim Community Islamic Centre in the Mobolaje Area of Oyo city – and invited to grace the occasion, prominent Islamic figures such as Basorun of Oyoland Yusuf Olayinka and Aare Musulumi of Oyoland Tajudeen Kamorise.
The announcement sparked intense debate on social media, with critics on X arguing that the introduction of a Sharia Court could disrupt religious harmony in a peaceful state.
That compelled the organisers to announce an indefinite postponement of the proposal.
A statement signed by the Khadimul Muslimeen of Oyoland, Daud Ogun, said “The inauguration ceremony of the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (Oyo branch) has been suspended until further notice. Islam portrays peace.”
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) from Oyo, Ahmed Raji, clarified that the planned structure was not a Sharia Court but an arbitration panel for Muslims seeking voluntary dispute resolution.
“The panel is for resolving matters between consenting Muslims and does not have judicial authority or punitive measures. No court can be established without government approval,” Raji explained, per The PUNCH.
But Oyo State Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeri (CAN), Joshua Akinyemiju, dismissed the initiative as unconstitutional and a threat to the state’s secular nature.
“This should not happen in Oyo State, where Christians and Muslims coexist in nearly every family. There’s no law to support this, and the government is not aware. We won’t allow anything that jeopardises the peaceful coexistence we enjoy,” he insisted.
Makinde’s Chief Press Secretary Sulaimon Olanrewaju emphasised the government’s commitment to the rule of law.
“Oyo State will not permit anything illegal. The focus isn’t about wanting Shariah or not but ensuring that any structure aligns with the legal system we operate,” Olanrewaju said.
Read also:
Backdoor plan to establish Shariah Court in Oyo irks netizens
