The Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC, has called on the National Assembly to initiate legislation for the establishment of Federal Shari\u2019ah Courts across Nigeria, particularly in the southern region.<\/p>\n
In a statement issued on Monday and signed by its Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, the Islamic rights organisation said the move was necessary to address what it described as \u201cglaring lopsidedness\u201d in the country\u2019s judicial system.<\/p>\n
MURIC argued that Nigeria\u2019s legal framework is based on a tripartite system comprising common law, customary law, and Islamic law (Shari\u2019ah), but only common and customary laws currently enjoy national application, while Shari\u2019ah remains confined to northern Nigeria.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is well known that the Nigerian legal system stands on a tripod of common law, customary law, and Islamic law. For justice to experience a balance, each component of the tripartite system should be equally treated and applied in all parts of the country,\u201d the statement read in part.<\/p>\n
The group said Muslims in the South are being denied judicial inclusivity and called on the Senate and House of Representatives to address the imbalance by granting constitutional backing for the creation of Shari\u2019ah courts in all regions.<\/p>\n
While acknowledging that state governments \u2014 particularly in the South \u2014 may be unwilling to establish such courts due to religious considerations, MURIC urged the Federal Government to step in.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is understandable that southern state governments are opposed to Shari\u2019ah law, since the governors are all Christians. But the Federal Government should act in loco parentis by establishing Federal Shari\u2019ah Courts the same way it established Christian common law courts throughout Nigeria,\u201d Akintola stated.<\/p>\n
Citing sections 275, 276, and 277 of the 1999 Constitution, MURIC maintained that Muslims have a constitutional right to Shari\u2019ah legal systems and urged lawmakers to create an enabling law to enforce that right nationwide.<\/p>\n
The group also referred to its earlier memorandum submitted to the Senate and House of Representatives committees on constitutional amendment in Lagos in July 2025, reiterating the demand for Shari\u2019ah court expansion.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe ball is therefore in the court of the National Assembly,\u201d MURIC concluded.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n