In response to a circulating digital notice announcing the launch of a Sharia Court, the Ogun State Government has declared that no Sharia Court is authorised to operate within its jurisdiction.
A statement signed by Governor Dapo Abiodun on Tuesday disclaimed the notice as illegal and without legal backing.
The statement emphasised that the courts legally empowered to adjudicate disputes in Ogun State are those established by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or by state laws. These include 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.
It clarified that no law in the state has established a Sharia Court, and Sharia law does not form part of the legal framework under which Ogun operates.
“The Ogun State Government has noted the circulation of a digital notice announcing the launch of a Shari’ah Court in Ogun State. No Sharia Court is authorised to operate within Ogun State.
“The courts that are legally empowered to adjudicate disputes arising within Ogun State are those established by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or by State Laws, which are: Magistrates’ Courts, High Court, Customary Courts, Customary Court of Appeal, Federal High Court, National Industrial Court, Court of Appeal, and Supreme Court.
“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.
“The Ogun State Government upholds and protects the rights of individuals to practice 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. 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,” the statement read.
The state government advised members of the public to disregard any summons, documents, or persons associated with the purported Sharia Court. It also urged citizens to promptly report any such occurrences to the appropriate state authorities.
“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.
“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 added.
Ogun Warns Against Illegal Operations Of Sharia Court is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
Source: The Whistler
