The Ekiti State Government has firmly rejected the establishment of a Sharia Court or Independent Sharia Arbitration Panel within the state, emphasizing that its legal framework does not recognize such judicial structures.
This position was made clear on Thursday in a statement by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dayo Apata, in response to reports about the recent activities of the Sharia Arbitration Panel in the state. The panel reportedly resolved two marriage disputes during its first public sitting last week, claiming to provide arbitration based on Islamic jurisprudence.
However, Apata stated that Ekiti State already has an adequate judicial system to handle all forms of disputes, including those related to marriages and inheritance. “There is an existing legal structure in Ekiti State—Customary Court, Customary Court of Appeal, and High Court—that has been handling issues relating to Islamic, Christian, and traditional marriages and inheritance without any rancor or agitation,” he said.
Governor Oyebanji’s Administration Responds
Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s administration described the move as a political strategy by the opposition to create division ahead of the 2026 governorship election. Apata warned that such actions could threaten the peace and unity among residents of the state.
“The government will not compromise on any action that may hinder the prevailing peace and fester hostility in the state,” the Attorney General emphasized.
He further clarified that the Sharia Courts in northern Nigeria are equivalent to Customary Courts in southern states like Ekiti, and appeals from these courts are handled by the Customary Court of Appeal. “The Customary Courts and the Customary Court of Appeal can effectively take care of any customary issues arising from Yoruba traditional marriages, Islamic marriages, and Christian marriages,” he explained.
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Political and Religious Implications
The government suggested that the Sharia Arbitration Panel was part of an opposition campaign to discredit the Oyebanji-led administration. “The government is not unmindful of the fact that the race for the 2026 governorship election is gathering momentum in Ekiti State, and opposition members who cannot fault the performance of the state government have resorted to all sorts of unethical practices,” Apata said.
The Attorney General also cautioned religious leaders against being used as political tools. “Religious leaders must be wary of being used by politicians and fifth columnists because the government will not hesitate to invoke the full weight of the law to protect the constitution and maintain peaceful coexistence in the state,” he warned.
A Broader Debate on Sharia Courts
The debate over Sharia Courts is not unique to Ekiti State. About a month ago, the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria announced plans to inaugurate a Sharia Court in Oyo town, Oyo State. This announcement triggered widespread criticism, forcing the council to postpone the inauguration indefinitely.
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde addressed the issue, stating that any establishment of a Sharia Court must align with Nigeria’s Constitution. “If their actions are within the law, fine, but if not, they should expect that I will insist the law must be followed,” Makinde said.
Call for Unity and Rule of Law
The Ekiti State Government’s stance underscores its commitment to upholding the Constitution and ensuring unity among its residents. As political activities intensify ahead of the 2026 elections, the government reiterated its determination to protect the peace and legal framework of the state.
The Attorney General concluded, “The government remains committed to fostering peaceful coexistence and will not tolerate any actions that undermine the harmony and constitutional order in Ekiti State.”