Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi, the Oluwo of Iwo, Osun State, has thrown her s weight behind the plan to introduce Sharia law in the South West zone of the country, noting that Sharia law has been in practice in Yoruba land for a long time.
His remarks came after an Islamic organisation planned the inauguration of a Sharia council scheduled for January 11, 2025, at the Muslim Community Islamic Centre, Oba Adeyemi High School Road, Mobolaje Area, Oyo, Oyo State.
But the inauguration has been postponed indefinitely following public outcry.
The event drew criticism from a cross-section of Nigerians, with many arguing that the predominantly Yoruba South-West was distinct from the northern region, where Muslims were in the majority.
Oba Akanbi who spoke to Punch on Sunday, noted that there are banks in Yoruba land who operate in accordance with the Sharia Law.
"We have Sharia banks in the South West, and these banks operate according to Sharia law. Sharia law has been in Iwo for over 100 years, and there is a Sharia college in Iwo. It’s the right of Muslims to choose customary law or the high court," he said.
“Many Muslims feel disenfranchised when it comes to the sharing of inheritance and divorce matters. Western education doesn’t understand the ways of Muslim divorce, marriage, and inheritance. Sharia law is in the constitution of Nigeria, and it’s visible in the North, where there are Nigerians. Anywhere we have Muslims, there is Sharia.”
Oba Akanbi stressed that Sharia law was only for Muslims and did not concern others.
“If any other person likes it, they can convert to Islam, and Muslims can also convert to Christianity. Everyone is free. Sharia shouldn’t be a problem for other religions. No government can deny Muslims their inalienable rights,” he explained.
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