Ogun State Lead Representative, Dapo Abiodun, has cautioned against any endeavour to establish a Sharia Court in the state.
In an explanation he signed on Tuesday, Abiodun noted that Sharia Courts can’t be legitimately constituted by people or groups without legal backing.
He said the state government only perceives courts established through the lawful framework of the Nigerian Constitution, adding that a Sharia Court does not shape part of the legal framework working in the state.
“The Ogun State Government has noted the course of a computerized notice announcing the launch of a Shari’ah Court in Ogun State,” Abiodun said.
“No Sharia Court is approved to operate within Ogun State. The courts that are legitimately empowered to adjudicate disputes arising within Ogun State are those established by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or by State Regulations, 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 working in Ogun State has laid out a Sharia Court, and Sharia law doesn’t shape part of the legal framework by which the Ogun State Government oversees and governs society.
“The Ogun State Government maintains and safeguards the rights of individuals to practice the religion of their choice, or to subscribe to no religion, and perceives the opportunity of people to apply their faith in their personal and confidential issues.
“In any case, this opportunity doesn’t extend to the formation of unapproved gatherings or institutions. No individual or group is legally permitted to constitute a court or present themselves to the general society as a court without legal backing.
Those behind that notice have no legal backing. They can’t set up a court or administer equity by fiat or public notification.
“The Ogun State Government thusly directs that all persons engaged in the creation or operation of this unapproved court must immediately cease all related activities and disband the unlawful entity and all its device.
“The Ogun State Government likewise advises members of the public to dismiss any summons, documents, or persons related with the unlawful Sharia Court. Such events ought to be promptly reported to the state.
“The Ogun State Government will maintain the rule of law, guarantee respect for the legitimate and judicial framework inside the State, and forestall a breakdown of law and order.”
