The Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria, Oyo State chapter, has announced plans to establish an Independent Sharia Arbitration Panel in Oyo town and its neighboring areas. The panel, according to the group, is not a Sharia court but an initiative aimed at resolving family disputes among willing Muslim participants.
Dr. Bello Adisa, Chairman of the Committee, explained in a statement on Wednesday that the initiative mirrors similar panels operating in other South-West states. He clarified that the panel would only function as a voluntary arbitration body for family matters and would lack enforcement powers.
The inauguration event, originally scheduled for January 11, 2025, at the Oyo Muslim Community Islamic Centre, was postponed following public backlash due to its earlier mischaracterization as the launch of a Sharia court. The group expressed regret over the misunderstanding and promised to announce a new date soon.
“This arbitration panel is not a court and does not have enforcement powers. It exists only to resolve family disputes among willing Muslims. We deeply regret any inconvenience caused by this misrepresentation and the subsequent postponement,” Adisa stated.
Governor Seyi Makinde, responding to concerns about the event, reaffirmed his commitment to upholding the law and the Constitution of Nigeria. He emphasized that while lawful initiatives are welcome, any actions outside the legal framework would be challenged.
The controversy surrounding the panel’s inauguration underscores the sensitive nature of such establishments in the predominantly Yoruba South-West region, which has a more diverse religious demographic compared to the Muslim-majority northern states.
