By Muslim News Reporters
* It’s blatant attempt to curtail freedom of religion: Disu Kamor
* It’s clear animosity towards Islam, Muslims in Ekiti: Amir Owonifari
▪︎ Ewi’s action is illegal, void, illegitimate: Prof Akintola
Notable Muslim organisations in Nigeria have kicked against the brazen order of the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe to dissolve the Ekiti State Shari’ah Panel.
They described the dissolution as a violation of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
In a swift reaction to the order which was given on Saturday, 25th January, 2025, after the monarch summoned the Chief Imam of Ado Ekiti, Shaykh Jamiu Kewulere to his palace, the Muslim organisations said it’s clear animosity towards Islam, Muslims in Ekiti.
The organisations are The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), Muslim Public Affairs Centre (MPAC), Nigeria and the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN) Ekiti State Area.
The statement issued by MURIC’s headquarters on Sunday, 26th January, 2025 was signed by the Executive Director of the organization, Professor Ishaq Akintola, who described the order given as draconian and the Ewi’s action as illegal, illegitimate, unlawful and unconstitutional.
MURIC strongly condemned the monarch’s approach, saying that the Ewi’s order is an affront to Section 38(i)&(ii) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which guarantees freedom of religion.
“It is therefore illegal, illegitimate, unlawful and unconstitutional. It is draconian, unknown to democratic norms and alien to global best practices.
“Article 9 of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights & Fundamental Freedoms contains a right to show ‘respect for the religious feelings of believers…’
“The United Nations Charter also criminalises any attack on freedom of religion. Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Right (ICCPR) guarantees the right to freedom of religion unconditionally.
“The Ewi of Ado Ekiti was quoted as saying, ‘Let’s disband the committee, it doesn’t exist and it will never exist.’ Note the use of the word ‘never’. This is absolute lack of tolerance of other faiths and a manifestation of tons of hatred for Islam and its adherents. The usurpation of executive power by the traditional ruler of Ado-Ekiti should be condemned by all right-thinking people. It is despicable, preposterous and outrageous.
“The problem with Nigeria is the impunity of leaders who fail to respect the rule of law but follow their whims and caprices. This is why we continue to have problems and there will be no solution until our leaders learn how to respect the rule of law and the principles of justice, fairness and equity.
“Yet another clarification of Shari’ah: a Shari’ah panel is a committee of Islamic scholars set up by Muslims to settle marriage and inheritance disputes. Churches also set up committees on different matters and they have not been disturbed in any way. Shari’ah panels also use mosques as venues. They are not courts. No single Christian has ever been summoned to appear before the Shari’ah panels that have been existing in Yorubaland since 2002.
“Anybody who has information contrary to this should come out and tell the world. If this arbitrary order is allowed to stay, very soon we will start receiving orders that mosques should be shut down in Yorubaland.
“MURIC asserts that justice is the soul of peace. No one can deny one and still enjoy the other. We said it before and we are repeating it again: religious tolerance is totally absent in the South-West. Tolerance of Islam in Yorubaland is a sham, a mirage.
“With the order given to disband the Ekiti Civil Shari’ah Panel, coupled with threats issued in viral video clips to deal with Muslim leaders over the civil Shari’ah panel brouhaha, it is crystal clear that Muslims in Ekiti State in particular and the South-West in general, are now endangered species.
“Muslims in Ekiti State in particular and Yoruba Muslims in general, need the protection of the security agencies. In spite of the fact that Muslims in the region are peace-loving and law-abiding and despite the absence of any violent behaviour by any Muslim group in the geo-political zone, Muslims in Yorubaland continue to receive threats. We therefore invite the security agencies to be proactive in this regard.
“We call the attention of the Federal Government, the good people of Nigeria and the world at large to the gross violation of Allah-given fundamental human rights of Yoruba Muslims in Ekiti State. We charge all men of good conscience to speak up on the side of truth.
“Before we hang up, we appeal to Muslims in Ekiti State, Yorubaland and the whole of Nigeria to exercise patience and restraint even in the face of this undeserved provocation. Nigeria is at a critical turning point in its political history. We must not allow a belligerent opposition to turn the whole country to an expanded battlefield.”
It’s clear animosity towards Islam, Muslims in Ekiti: Amir Owonifari
In her own reaction, the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN) Ekiti State Area Unit expressed its deep concern to halt the Independent Shari’a Arbitration Panel, which was officially established by the leadership of the Muslim community, despite the involvement of key stakeholders in the state.
This decision, according to the statement issued by the Amir of the Student body, Engr. Jimoh Owonifari Kareem, is seen as a clear indication of animosity towards Islam and Muslims in Ekiti State.
According to him, “It is regrettable that influential figures, including the Attorney General, can be swayed by unfounded social media outcries fueled by individuals with ulterior motives. This response, based on misinformation and misrepresentation, not only undermines the dignity of Muslims in the state but also represents a significant form of oppression and injustice.”
The Muslim students body stated that numerous arbitration panels exist in Ekiti State that are publicly featured on radio and television without facing any condemnation.
“We question how many of these panels have been criticized by the Ewi in Council or deemed in violation of legal standards by the State Attorney General. This situation is a direct affront to the office of the President General of the League of Imams and Alfas in Yoruba Land, Edo, and Delta states, who is also from Ekiti State. This dignified individual has consistently promoted peace and coexistence among all, regardless of faith. To suggest he could incite chaos, as insinuated by certain parties, is an insult to his office and to the entire Muslim community in Yoruba Land.
“It is essential to clarify that the Shari’a Arbitration Panel in Ekiti is designed solely to resolve disputes among willing Muslims in accordance with Islamic principles. Its primary goal is to provide a peaceful platform for conflict resolution, fostering unity, understanding, and adherence to Islamic ethics. The panelists aim to interpret Allah’s injunctions and provide guidance based on Shari’a principles. Any claims that this panel adversely affects the state are, in our view, a subtle expression of animosity towards Islam and Muslims.
“The establishment of the Shari’a panel brought immense joy to the MSSN Ekiti Area Unit, as we have historically adhered to Shari’a principles in our activities since the creation of Ekiti State. Our commitment to Shari’a has bolstered our harmonious relationships and progress, evident in our successful schools and economic empowerment initiatives, which adhere to non-interest-based principles. Many non-Muslims have shown interest in enrolling their children in our schools due to the moral standards upheld through our Shari’a compliance.
“Furthermore, our practices extend to burial rites, as we ensure our deceased are laid to rest in Muslim cemeteries, reflecting our adherence to Shari’a. The MSSN Ekiti State Area Unit’s commitment to Shari’a has been longstanding and has not infringed upon the rights of others or created chaos within the state.”
The MSSN Ekiti State Area Unit said as a law-abiding entity, she will continue to uphold Shari’a principles.
“We will resist any attempts to obstruct our practices or deny us our fundamental religious rights, viewing such actions as deliberate attempts to hinder our progress and that of future generations. We are committed to utilizing all legal means to defend our rights.
“Our Shari’a Arbitration Panel, established by previous leadership, has successfully resolved numerous marital disputes and conflicts among Muslims, fostering peace, unity, and collective career advancement among our members.
“Insha Allah, the Shari’a Arbitration Panel will remain an integral part of our operations within the MSSN Ekiti State Area Unit. We firmly believe that no individual or group can prevent us from practicing our faith,” he added.
It’s blatant attempt to curtail freedom of religion: Disu Kamor
Also speaking, the Executive Chairman of MPAC, Kamor Disu, strongly condemned the call for the dissolution of the Ekiti Shari’ah Panel, deeming it an affront to the constitutional rights of Muslims and a blatant attempt to curtail their freedom of religion.
The dissolution order, issued by the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe, is a clear violation of Section 38(i)&(ii) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which guarantees freedom of religion. This move is not only draconian but also unknown to democratic norms and alien to global best practices, Disu said.
MPAC said impunity by leaders who disregard the rule of law will not be tolerated by the Muslim community nationwide.
“The Nigerian Constitution guarantees freedom of religion, and we will not stand idly by while the rights of Muslims are trampled upon by draconian orders aimed at subjugating them.”
MPAC added that Shari’a panels operate in advanced democracies around the world, without conflict with their secular law.
According to him, “Shari’ah panels, comprised of Islamic scholars, aim to settle marriage and inheritance disputes within the Muslim community. They operate independently of the judicial system and do not impose their rulings on non-Muslims. It is essential to recognize that these panels are not courts and do not threaten the existing legal framework.
“Some democratic countries around the world have Shari’ah panels with absolutely no conflict with the secular law, providing a platform for Muslims to resolve disputes in accordance with their cultural and religious values. The United Kingdom has several Shariah councils, which provide dispute resolution services for Muslims. Singapore, South Africa and some Canadian cities have Shari’ah panels, which offer mediation and arbitration services.”
The Muslim Public Affairs Centre urged authorities to intervene and safeguard the constitutional rights of Muslims in Ekiti State.
“We call upon the Federal Government, human rights organizations, and the international community to condemn this blatant attempt to infringe upon the religious freedom of Muslims,” the statement read.
“Lastly, we urge the Ekiti State Government to safeguard the constitutional rights of Muslims in Ekiti State, ensuring that their freedom to practice their faith is protected. The Muslim Public Affairs Centre will continue to advocate for the rights of Muslims and promote peaceful coexistence among all Nigerians.”
