MURIC Urges National Assembly to Establish Federal Shari’ah Courts Across Nigeria
Muslim Group Demands Judicial Equality in Southern States
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has made a bold appeal to Nigeria’s National Assembly, calling for legislation that would establish federal Shari’ah courts in all states, with particular emphasis on Southern Nigeria where such courts are currently absent.
In a strongly-worded statement released Monday in Abuja, Professor Ishaq Akintola, MURIC’s Executive Director and founder, framed the demand as a matter of fundamental rights and judicial balance in Africa’s most populous nation.
The Case for Judicial Inclusivity
“Our organization appealed last week to the Federal Government to fully integrate Shari’ah courts into Nigeria’s judicial system,” Akintola stated. “But we recognize that constitutional amendments may be necessary, which is why we’re now addressing the National Assembly directly.”
The professor painted a picture of systemic imbalance, arguing that while Christian-oriented common law courts and traditional customary courts enjoy nationwide presence, Islamic courts remain geographically restricted primarily to Northern states. This, he contends, creates an untenable situation for millions of Nigerian Muslims living in the South.
“Inclusivity is sine qua non in every democratic setting,” Akintola emphasized, using the Latin legal term meaning “essential.” “The current deprivation breeds dissatisfaction that undermines national harmony.”
The Tripod of Nigerian Law
MURIC’s argument rests on what it describes as the three-legged foundation of Nigeria’s legal system:
- Common Law (Christian-oriented, with nationwide courts)
- Customary Law (Traditional, with widespread courts)
- Shari’ah Law (Islamic, currently limited to Northern states)
“Only two legs of this tripod have national reach,” Akintola lamented. “Common law enjoys special status with magistrate courts, high courts, and federal courts, while customary law has its own nationwide network. Shari’ah alone faces ‘desertification’ in Southern states.”
Constitutional Basis for the Demand
The group grounds its appeal in Sections 275, 276 and 277 of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, which recognize Shari’ah as part of the country’s legal framework. Akintola invoked the legal maxim ubi jus ibi remedium (“where there is a right, there is a remedy”) to argue that constitutional recognition must translate to practical access.
“If Shari’ah is indeed a fundamental right of Nigerian Muslims,” he questioned, “shouldn’t there be mechanisms to enforce that right nationwide?”
The Legislative Pathway Forward
MURIC proposes two potential solutions through legislative action:
- A new bill specifically establishing Federal Shari’ah Courts
- Constitutional amendments to enable federal intervention
The organization has already submitted memoranda to both the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Constitutional Amendment during their recent sessions in Lagos.
“State governments in the South, mostly led by Christians, may resist,” Akintola acknowledged. “That’s precisely why the federal government must act as the parent to all Nigerians by establishing these courts, just as it did with common law courts even in Muslim-majority Northern states.”
National Assembly’s Crucial Role
With the ball now in lawmakers’ court, MURIC’s appeal adds to Nigeria’s ongoing debates about federalism, religious rights, and legal pluralism. The group’s timing appears strategic, coinciding with broader constitutional review processes.
“The National Assembly holds the key,” Akintola concluded. “By creating the necessary legal framework, they can correct this historical imbalance and ensure all Nigerians have equal access to justice according to their faith.”
As this proposal enters Nigeria’s complex political arena, observers will watch closely to see whether legislators take up what promises to be one of the more contentious legal reforms in recent memory.
Full credit to the original publisher: The Syndicate