Sharia Court: I’ll insist law must be followed in Oyo — Makinde

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has addressed concerns surrounding the proposed establishment of a Sharia court in Oyo Town, affirming his commitment to upholding the law and the Nigerian Constitution.

While speaking on the issue in a video seen by Tribune Online, Makinde emphasised that although individuals or groups may pursue initiatives such as the Sharia Court, these actions must remain within the confines of the law.

He assured that any deviation from legal provisions would face scrutiny and enforcement to ensure compliance.

He said, “About the establishment of Sharia court in Oyo Town, People may try, but for us, I swore to uphold our laws & the Constitution of Nigeria. If their actions are within the law, fine, if not they should expect that I will insist the law must be followed.”

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Tribune Online reports that some netizens recently took to social media, reacting differently to the news of the planned inauguration of a Sharia Court in Oyo State.

In a now-viral flyer shared on X, the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria, Oyo State chapter, announced its plans to inaugurate a Sharia Court in Oyo town and its environs in January 2025.

While some netizens expressed support for the announcement, others strongly criticised it.

Opponents argue that establishing a Sharia court in the South West, a region predominantly inhabited by Yoruba people undermines the area’s cultural and religious diversity, where no single faith is dominant.

However, the Khadimul Muslimeen of Oyo Kingdom, Imam Daud Igi Ogun, has announced in a statement issued on Tuesday that the inauguration of the Sharia Court in Oyo State has been postponed indefinitely.

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