Ogun Won’t Permit Establishment Of Sharia Court, Governor Abiodun Declares
The Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, has issued a stern warning against any attempts to establish a Sharia Court in the state, emphasising that such actions are illegal and lack constitutional backing.
In a statement personally signed by the governor, Abiodun made it clear that only courts established under the Nigerian Constitution or state laws are authorized to operate in Ogun. He was reacting to a digital notice circulating online, announcing the launch of a Sharia Court in the state, just weeks after a similar attempt faced backlash in Ekiti.
“No Sharia Court is authorised to operate within Ogun State,” Abiodun stated unequivocally. He further reiterated that the state only recognizes courts such as the Magistrates’ Courts, High Court, Customary Courts, and others explicitly provided for by law.
Sharia Courts, which administer Islamic legal principles, are currently limited to Muslim-majority Northern states. While proponents argue that they resolve disputes within the Muslim community, critics contend that Christians and non-Muslims in the North are sometimes unfairly subjected to their jurisdiction.
In recent times, there have been efforts by Sharia Court advocates to extend the practice to Southern states, beginning with Oyo and Ekiti, where public resistance forced a halt to the plans.
Governor Abiodun reaffirmed Ogun State’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and warned individuals or groups behind the illegal court initiative to cease all activities immediately.
“No individual or group is legally permitted to constitute a court or present themselves to the public as a court without legal backing,” the governor said. “The Ogun State Government will uphold the rule of law, ensure respect for the legal and judicial framework within the state, and prevent a breakdown of law and order.”
He advised members of the public to disregard any activities or summons related to the unauthorised court and to report such occurrences to state authorities.
Abiodun further stated that the Ogun State Government supports religious freedom and respects individuals’ rights to practice their faith but emphasised that such freedoms do not extend to creating unauthorised institutions.
“The Ogun State Government upholds and protects the rights of individuals to practise the religion of their choice or to subscribe to no religion. However, this freedom does not extend to the formation of unauthorised assemblies or institutions,” he added.
The governor concluded by directing all persons involved in the creation or operation of the unauthorised Sharia Court to immediately disband their activities and apparatus, ensuring that Ogun remains governed by its recognised legal framework.
