By Capital Watch Media
A professor of Law at the University of Ilorin, Abdulrazzaq Alaro, has called for the broader application of Shari’ah law across Nigeria, asserting that it could address national challenges and enhance justice in society.
Speaking on Sunday at the 2025 Ramadan lecture organised by the Muslim Lawyers Association of Nigeria, MULAN, Oyo State branch, Alaro stressed that Shari’ah covers all branches of law and offers principles suited for regulating human conduct.
“Beyond the criminal justice system, Shari’ah encompasses various branches of law, including public and private law, business and commercial law, municipal and international law, as well as substantive and procedural law,” he said.
Alaro described opposition to Shari’ah, particularly in Southern Nigeria, as a deprivation of Muslims’ legitimate rights.
“The absence of Shari’ah Courts of Appeal in Southern states is a clear deprivation of Muslims’ constitutional rights,” he argued.
He dismissed fears of an Islamisation agenda, calling them unfounded. “Shari’ah implementation does not alter Nigeria’s secular status,” he added.
Citing Islamic banking and SUKUK bonds as examples, Alaro highlighted Shari’ah-based financial systems’ role in public project funding.
“Since 2017, SUKUK has facilitated the development of 124 road projects across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones,” he noted.
He also addressed misconceptions about the punitive aspects of Shari’ah.
“Shari’ah is not solely about capital punishment or amputation; it prioritises deterrence over punishment,” Alaro explained.
According to him, Shari’ah offers a comprehensive legal framework that complements existing systems while aligning with citizens’ religious beliefs.
“The 1999 Constitution guarantees freedom of thought, conscience, and religion. In any state without a Shari’ah court, Muslims cannot fully exercise their religious rights,” he said.
He questioned why no Southern state had established a Shari’ah court despite sizable Muslim populations.
“Are we suggesting that Muslims in these states do not deserve access to their religious legal system?” he asked.
Alaro argued that the establishment of Shari’ah Courts of Appeal would not lead to Islamisation but would address civil matters like marriage, divorce, and inheritance for Muslims.
“Shari’ah laws cover all past, present, and future branches of law. If implemented properly, it can address societal challenges and enhance justice,” he asserted.
Justice Kareem Adedokun of the Oyo State High Court attributed misconceptions about Shari’ah to ignorance and religious intolerance. He called for continuous sensitisation efforts.
The Executive Secretary of the Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria, Prof Musliu Yahya, also emphasised the need for Muslims to align their lives with the teachings of the Qur’an and the Nigerian Constitution.
Representing the Managing Director of Lotus Bank, Mutiu Abdulsalam reaffirmed that Shari’ah is a right for Muslims and cited the success of Islamic banking and SUKUK as evidence of its positive impact.
Akeem Agbaje, Chairman of the MULAN Ramadan Lecture Planning Committee, stressed the importance of ongoing sensitisation to enhance understanding of Shari’ah’s significance.
Alaro urged Muslims to support political candidates advocating for Shari’ah implementation in the 2027 elections.
“Muslim associations and stakeholders must support candidates committed to advancing Muslim affairs,” he said.
The event attracted notable attendees, including the Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Ibadan branch, Ibrahim Lawal; Justice Rukayat Yetunde; and Oyo Attorney General, Abiodun Aikomo.
Also present were serving and retired justices, Islamic scholars, clerics, and members of the legal community.
Alaro concluded by reiterating Shari’ah’s potential to enhance justice and societal order in Nigeria.
“When Allah declares in the Qur’an, ‘We have neglected nothing in the Book,’ it affirms that Shari’ah covers all legal aspects needed for a just society,” he said.
