Ekiti monarch disbands Shari’a panel, summons Islamic leaders

The Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe, on Saturday, ordered the dissolution of the Sharia panel established at the Central Mosque, Ado Ekiti, stressing the need for peaceful coexistence and the maintenance of law and order within the community.
The monarch issued the order during a meeting with chiefs, indigenes of the community, and Islamic leaders, including the Chief Imam and President of the League of Imams and Alfas in the Southwest, Edo, and Delta states, Sheik Jamiu Kewulere.
The meeting was convened to address concerns arising from the establishment of the panel.
The move followed a statement by the Ekiti State Government two days earlier, clarifying that the existing legal framework in the state does not recognise a Sharia Court or Sharia Arbitration Panel.
The state Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, Dayo Apata (SAN), had noted that the state’s judicial system, encompassing the Customary Court, Customary Court of Appeal, and High Court, had been effectively handling matters related to Islamic, Christian, and traditional marriages and inheritance without issues.
Oba Adejugbe said, “Based on this Sharia issue, I summoned the Chief Imam and his lieutenants, members of the Ewi-in-Council, the president of Ado Progressives Union, and Ado sons and daughters to discuss the matter because it is a sensitive issue.
“We all listened and it appears they set up a committee at the Central Mosque with the intention to listen to disputes. According to them, they have good intentions, and it was an internal arrangement that has nothing to do with any external person or somebody influencing them.
“I told them the mood of the nation will not allow such to happen now, that they should revert to how the founding fathers of the mosque had been settling disputes in the past without setting up a committee.
“I told them that there is no need for the committee and they should dissolve the committee henceforth. That is the decision of the Ewi-in-Council, and that is the position of all Ado sons and daughters.
“The panel stands dissolved. If we should allow such committees, the Christians too will want to set up committees in their various churches, the traditional worshippers too, and before you know it, it will lead to crises.”
The Chief Imam, Kewulere, who confirmed the establishment of the committee, said it had resolved a marriage dispute and adjourned on a second matter, dismissing insinuations that the committee was formed with ulterior motives.
He said, “Basically, the committee is to look into matters of inheritance in the interest of our members.”
Kewulere emphasised the cordial relationship between Muslims and followers of other religions in the area, adding that the committee was not intended to incite crisis or involve external influence.