Tensions have escalated in Ekiti State following the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe’s directive to dissolve the Independent Sharia Arbitration Panel established at the central mosque.
PLATFORM TIMES reports that the monarch’s decision has sparked controversy and drawn swift reactions from the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, prompting a heated debate over religious rights and legal autonomy within the state.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs expressed deep disappointment and embarrassment over Oba Adejugbe’s call to disband the Sharia arbitration panel.
Led by President Hammed Bakare and spokesperson Ahmad Yusuf, the council clarified that the panel was not a Sharia court but an arbitration body aimed at resolving disputes among willing Muslims in Ekiti State.
They emphasized that the establishment of such panels falls within their religious rights protected under Section 38 of the Nigerian Constitution, which guarantees freedom of religion.
“The Sharia arbitration panel operates solely to mediate disputes in accordance with Islamic principles, contributing positively to our community’s cohesion and justice,” the statement read defiantly.
“We categorically reject the unilateral dissolution of the panel and will continue its operations within the confines of the law.”
The controversy erupted following the inaugural session of the panel, where issues pertaining to marriage and inheritance among Muslims were reportedly resolved.
This prompted reactions from various quarters, including the Ewi-in-Council and the State Commissioner of Justice, Dayo Apata, who pointed out the absence of legal provisions for Sharia courts or arbitration panels in Ekiti’s judicial framework.
In response to the panel, the monarch’s directive, Oba Adejugbe cited concerns about potential interfaith tensions and societal harmony, arguing that allowing such panels could lead to similar demands from other religious groups, thereby posing a threat to peace and stability in the state.
“I summoned the relevant stakeholders to discuss this sensitive issue because it touches on communal harmony and the spirit of coexistence,” Oba Adejugbe stated during a meeting with religious leaders and community representatives.
“While acknowledging their good intentions, the timing and implications of the Sharia arbitration panel are untenable.”
The monarch’s decision has divided opinions within the Ekiti State, with some supporting his stance on maintaining social order, while others defend the right of Muslims to practice their faith freely and resolve internal disputes in accordance with Islamic principles.
As the debate intensifies, the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs has called for calm among the Muslim community in Ekiti State, pledging to engage in dialogue with relevant stakeholders to address the concerns raised by Oba Adejugbe and other critics of the Sharia arbitration panel.
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