The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has raised a critical concern regarding the current status of Shariah Panels across the Southwest region of Nigeria. In a recent statement, the organization highlighted the existence of Shariah Panels in all six Southwest states, but lamented that these panels currently lack the necessary legal authority to enforce their judgments effectively.
According to MURIC, while the establishment of Shariah Panels has served as a positive step in providing Islamic legal resolutions for Muslim citizens, their inability to enforce rulings has severely undermined the purpose they were created for. The panels are designed to offer an alternative avenue for dispute resolution in accordance with Islamic law, but without enforcement powers, their decisions often lack the force needed to bring about compliance from parties involved in the cases.
Professor Ishaq Akintola, Director of MURIC, expressed concern over the lack of government support for the panels, stressing that their effectiveness would be significantly enhanced if they were granted the same enforcement powers enjoyed by regular courts. He emphasized that this gap in legal authority not only weakens the role of Shariah Panels but also undermines the trust of the Muslim community in the judicial system.
“Shariah Panels were set up with the best of intentions, but their effectiveness is hampered by the lack of enforcement powers. Without enforcement, their rulings are mere recommendations that can easily be ignored, leaving the community frustrated and disillusioned,” Akintola stated.
The MURIC Director further urged state governments to empower these panels by granting them the necessary legal backing to enforce their decisions. He emphasized that this would not only enhance the credibility and effectiveness of the panels but also ensure that the Muslim community receives justice in a manner consistent with their religious beliefs and practices.