Sharia Law Needed In South-West — Oluwo

The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi, has declared his support for the adoption of Sharia law in the South-West.

According to the monarch, it aligns with the constitutional rights of Muslims in the region.

His comments follows public outcry over plans to inaugurate a Sharia Court in Oyo State.

A flyer circulated by the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria, Oyo State chapter, announced the court’s establishment in Oyo town and its environs, scheduled for January 2025.

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The announcement sparked mixed reactions on social media, with some netizens supporting the move, while others criticised it, arguing that Sharia courts could undermine the cultural and religious diversity of the South-West, a predominantly Yoruba region.

In an interview with The Punch, Oba Akanbi defended the development, stating that Sharia law has existed in the region for over a century, particularly in Iwo, which hosts a Sharia college. He also pointed to Sharia-compliant banking systems as evidence of its integration into the region.

“Sharia law addresses issues like inheritance, marriage, and divorce among Muslims, and it does not interfere with the practices of other religions,” the monarch explained.

He emphasised that its implementation should not concern non-Muslims, as the constitution guarantees religious freedoms.

Oba Akanbi noted that Sharia courts provide Muslims with a legal framework that aligns with their faith, particularly in areas where Western education does not fully address Islamic perspectives on inheritance and divorce.

“We have Sharia banks in the South-West, and these banks operate according to Sharia law. Sharia has been in Iwo for over 100 years,” he said. “Muslims have the right to choose between customary law or the high court. No government can deny them their inalienable rights.”