‘It’s Unlawful’ – Islamic Group Faults Ekiti Monarch’s Order to Disband Shari’ah Panel 

An Islamic group has criticized the Ekiti monarch’s directive to disband the Shari’ah panel, calling it unlawful and a violation of religious rights.

The Islamic human rights organization, Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has labeled the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe’s order to disband the Shari’ah panel in Ekiti State as illegal and unconstitutional.

The group described the traditional ruler’s actions as “oppressive, unlawful, illegitimate, and opposed to democratic principles.”

Remember that Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe had instructed the dissolution of the Shari’ah panel following a summons to Shaykh Jamiu Kewulere, the Chief Imam of Ado Ekiti, to his palace.

In a statement issued on Sunday by MURIC, signed by Executive Director Professor Ishaq Akintola, the group criticized the monarch’s actions and emphasized their impact on religious freedom in Nigeria.

The statement indicated: “Shaykh Jamiu Kewulere, the Chief Imam of Ado Ekiti, was initially called to the Ewi’s palace where he supposedly faced criticism and was instructed to dissolve the Shari’ah panel.”

MURIC vehemently opposes this approach, asserting that the Ewi’s directive violates Section 38(i) and (ii) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which ensures freedom of religion. Consequently, it is deemed illegal, illegitimate, unlawful, and unconstitutional. This action is harsh in nature and incompatible with democratic principles as well as global best practices.

Article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms includes a provision upholding the right to demonstrate “respect for believers’ religious feelings…”

The United Nations Charter prohibits any infringement on the freedom of religion. Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) unequivocally ensures the right to religious freedom.

The Ewi of Ado Ekiti reportedly stated, “Let’s disband the committee; it doesn’t exist and will never exist.” Pay attention to the emphasis on the word ‘never.’

This represents a complete intolerance for other religions and a significant display of animosity towards Islam and its followers. The traditional ruler of Ado-Ekiti’s seizure of executive power should be denounced by all rational individuals. It is deplorable, absurd, and shocking.

Nigeria faces significant challenges due to leaders acting with impunity, disregarding the rule of law in favor of their personal desires. These persistent issues will remain unresolved until our leaders learn to uphold justice, fairness, equity, and adhere to legal principles.

MURIC further explained the role of the Shari’ah panel, stressing that it functions not as a court but as a committee composed of Islamic scholars dedicated to settling disputes among Muslims concerning marriage and inheritance matters.

Churches establish committees for various issues without any interference, and Shari’ah panels use mosques as venues but are not courts. No Christian has ever been summoned to appear before these Shari’ah panels in Yorubaland since their inception in 2002.

“If anyone possesses information to the contrary, they should come forward and share it publicly. Allowing this arbitrary decision to remain could lead us down a path where we’re soon facing orders to close mosques in Yorubaland,” the statement continued.