Korede Abdullah in Lagos
The Ekiti State Government has dismissed reports of the existence of a Sharia Court or an Independent Sharia Arbitration Panel in the state.
This comes after the Independent Shari’ah Arbitration Panel, presided over by three Kadhis, reportedly held its first sitting at the Ado-Ekiti Central Mosque and adjudicated on two marriage-related disputes.
However, the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Dayo Apata (SAN), on Thursday (today), denied the existence of such a body, stating that “the Independent Sharia Arbitration Panel is not in the judicial structure of the state.”
Apata explained that the state already has a legal structure in place, comprising Customary Court, Customary Court of Appeal, and High Court, which have been handling issues related to Islamic, Christian, and traditional marriages and inheritance without any issues.
He noted that the Sharia Courts in the North are equivalent to the Customary Courts in the Southern part of Nigeria, and that the state’s High Courts and other courts also have arbitration and mediation mechanisms in place.
Apata emphasized the importance of handling religious matters with care and cautioned against activities that may negatively affect the state government’s policy of peaceful coexistence.
He advised religious leaders to be wary of being used as tools by politicians and fifth columnists, warning that the government will not hesitate to invoke the law to protect the Constitution and maintain peace in the state.
