In response to recent developments in Ekiti and Oyo states regarding attempts to establish Sharia courts, the Ogun State Government has issued a stern warning against any similar efforts within its jurisdiction.
Governor Dapo Abiodun, in a statement signed personally, emphasized that Sharia courts cannot be legally established by individuals or groups without proper legal backing.
The government’s reaction follows the circulation of a digital notice announcing the launch of a Sharia court in Ogun State. The statement clarified that the state only recognizes courts established under the legal framework of the Nigerian Constitution. It further stressed that Sharia courts are not part of the legal system operating in Ogun State.
The statement read: “The Ogun State Government has noted the circulation of a digital notice announcing the launch of a Sharia Court in Ogun State. No Sharia Court is authorized to operate within Ogun State. The courts legally empowered to adjudicate disputes in the state are those established by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or by state laws.”
These recognized courts include Magistrates’ Courts, High Courts, Customary Courts, Customary Court of Appeal, Federal High Court, National Industrial Court, Court of Appeal, and the Supreme Court. The government reiterated that no law in Ogun State establishes a Sharia court, and Sharia law is not part of the legal framework governing the state.
While affirming the rights of individuals to practice their religion or choose not to, the government clarified that such freedoms do not extend to the formation of unauthorized assemblies or institutions. “No individual or group is legally permitted to constitute a court or present themselves to the public as a court without legal backing,” the statement added.
The Ogun State Government directed all persons involved in the creation or operation of the unauthorized Sharia court to immediately cease their activities and disband the illegal entity. It also advised members of the public to disregard any summons, documents, or persons associated with the court and to report such occurrences to the state authorities.
The statement concluded with a commitment to upholding the rule of law, ensuring respect for the legal and judicial framework, and preventing any breakdown of law and order in the state.
This development comes amid growing concerns over attempts to introduce Sharia courts in some southwestern states, including Ekiti and Oyo, where similar efforts have sparked debates about the legality and implications of such moves.
