The Ogun State Government has warned against any attempt to establish a Sharia Court in the state, stating that only courts recognised by the Nigerian Constitution and state laws are legally permitted to operate.
Governor Dapo Abiodun, in a personally signed statement, made it clear that no individual or group has the authority to constitute a Sharia Court in Ogun State.
The statement was in response to a digital notice announcing the launch of a Sharia Court within the state.
The statement reads: “The Ogun State Government has noted the circulation of a digital notice announcing the launch of a Sharia Court in Ogun State. No Sharia Court is authorised to operate within Ogun State.”
Governor Abiodun emphasised that the only courts legally empowered to adjudicate disputes in the state include the Magistrates’ Courts, the High Court, Customary Courts, the Customary Court of Appeal, the Federal High Court, the National Industrial Court, the Court of Appeal, and the Supreme Court.
He stressed that “no law operating in Ogun State has established a Sharia Court, and Sharia law does not form part of the legal framework by which the Ogun State Government administers and governs society.”
While reaffirming the state’s commitment to religious freedom, Abiodun maintained that this right does not extend to the formation of 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, and recognises the freedom of individuals to apply their faith in their personal and private matters. However, this freedom does not extend to the formation of unauthorised assemblies or institutions,” the statement read.
The governor further warned that those behind the purported Sharia Court lacked legal backing and had no right to set up a court or administer justice.
“No individual or group is legally permitted to constitute a court or present themselves to the public as a court without legal backing. Those behind that notice have no legal backing. They cannot set up a court or administer justice by fiat or public notice,” he declared.
The Ogun State Government has, therefore, ordered all individuals involved in the establishment of the Sharia Court to immediately halt their activities and disband the illegal entity.
Additionally, the government urged the public to disregard any summons, documents, or persons associated with the unauthorised court.
“The Ogun State Government also advises members of the public to disregard any summons, documents, or persons associated with the illegal Sharia Court. Such occurrences should be promptly reported to the State,” the statement advised.
Reaffirming its commitment to upholding the rule of law, the government vowed to ensure compliance with the state’s legal and judicial framework while preventing any breach of public order.
“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,” the statement concluded.
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