The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi, has thrown his weight behind the adoption of Sharia law in the South-West.
According to the King , it aligns with the constitutional rights of Muslims in the region.
His comments came after public outcry over plans to inaugurate a Sharia Court in Oyo State.
A flyer that was recently circulated by the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria, Oyo State chapter, announced the court’s establishment in Oyo town and its environs, scheduled for January 2025.
The announcement generated mixed reactions on social media, with some Nigerians supporting the move, while others criticised it and argued that Sharia courts could undermine the cultural and religious diversity of the South-West, a predominantly Yoruba region.
In a recent interview with The Punch, Oba Akanbi defended the development and stated that Sharia law had existed in the region for over a century, particularly in Iwo, which has a Sharia college. He also pointed to Sharia-compliant banking systems as proof of its integration into the region.
The monarch said: “Sharia law addresses issues like inheritance, marriage, and divorce among Muslims, and it does not interfere with the practices of other religions.”
He stated that its implementation should not concern non-Muslims, as the constitution guarantees religious freedoms.
He added that Sharia courts provide Muslims with a legal framework that aligns with their faith, especially in areas where Western education does not fully address Islamic perspectives on inheritance and divorce.
He said: “We have Sharia banks in the South-West, and these banks operate according to Sharia law. Sharia has been in Iwo for over 100 years.
“Muslims have the right to choose between customary law or the high court. No government can deny them their inalienable rights.”
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