In a bold assertion, Justice Abdurraheem Sayi, the Qadi of the Shari’ah Court of Appeal, Kwara State, has declared that Southwest state governments lack the authority to obstruct the establishment of Shari’ah arbitration panels by Muslims in the region.
Addressing concerns during a lecture at the University of Lagos Muslim Alumni’s 30th Pre-Ramadan Lecture, themed “The Transformative Power of Ramadan,” Justice Sayi labeled objections to Shari’ah panels in the Southwest as “legally baseless” and reflective of “Islamophobia syndrome.”
Asserting that Shari’ah arbitration operates on a contractual basis, Justice Sayi clarified, “Arbitration is a matter of contract and does not require government approval.”
He further emphasized that neither religious bodies nor traditional rulers have jurisdiction over the formation of these panels, citing the Arbitration and Mediation Act of 2023 which grants private citizens the right to establish and regulate such forums independently.
Highlighting the efficacy of Shari’ah arbitration in resolving disputes, Justice Sayi criticized the exclusion of Muslims from the family law system in Lagos, Osun, and Ogun states, where they constitute a significant portion of the population.
He called upon Southwest governments to recognize the rights of Muslims to access legal structures that address personal and family matters in accordance with Islamic law.
The lecture, attended by dignitaries including Lagos State Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat and Ogun Deputy Governor Noimot Salako, aimed to dispel misconceptions surrounding Shari’ah law and underscore its role in fostering legal inclusivity within the region.
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