By Babatunde Tiamiyu
A Law Professor at the University of Ilorin, Kwara State, AbdulRazzaq Alaro says the push for Shariah law implementation in the southwest is not aimed at Islamising the country.
Professor Alaro, said this while delivering the 2025 Annual Ramadan lecture of Muslim Lawyers Association of Nigeria (MULAN), Oyo State Branch, held in Ibadan.
Delivering the lecture entitled” Shariah Beyond the Criminal Justice System: Clarifying the Myths and Misconceptions Surrounding the Application of Shariah Law in Nigeria,” Professor Alaro, noted that the argument against the application of Shariah law in Nigeria was borne out of misconception of its purpose and objectives.
Commending MULAN, Oyo State Branch, for selecting the topic, Professor Alaro encouraged stakeholders in Islamic affairs to engage in campaigns at dispelling misconceptions about Shariah law’s application in the southwest.
In their remarks, Chairman of the ocassion, Professor Muslih Yahya, Executive Secretary of Muslims in Southwest Nigeria ,MUSWEN, and Chairman of MULAN Oyo State Branch, Alhaji Ismail Saka, agreed that the lecture was timely in addressing wrong perceptions about Shariah law and its implementation.
In their goodwill messages, two Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs), Musibau Adetunbi and Lasun Sanusi, called for increased awareness and action to ensure the establishment of Shariah courts in the southwest.
The Chairman of the 2025 MULAN Ramadan Programmes Planning Committee, Barrister Akeem Agbaje, in an interview said that the choice of the theme was inspired by recent controversies over the establishment and proposed establishment of Shariah Arbitration panels in some southwest states.
The 2025 MULAN Oyo State Branch Annual Ramadan Lecture also featured awards and recognition of prominent individuals, including Oyo State Deputy Governor, Barrister Bayo Lawal.
Dignitaries in attendance included Oyo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Biodun Aikomo, President of the Oyo State Customary Court of Appeal, Justice Tajudeen AbdulGaniyu, a federal lawmaker representing Ibadan NorthWest/SouthWest, Honourable Adedeji Stanley-Olajide as well as members of the Bench and Bar.
