The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, has called for the implementation of Sharia law in the South-West, asserting that it is a constitutional right of Muslims in the region.
This follows public reactions to the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria’s Oyo State chapter announcing plans to inaugurate a Sharia Court in Oyo Town and surrounding areas in January 2025. While some social media users have supported the move, others argue it could disrupt the South-West’s religious and cultural diversity, a predominantly Yoruba region.
In an interview with The Punch, Oba Akanbi defended the development, emphasizing that Sharia law has existed in parts of the South-West, including Iwo, for over a century. He highlighted that the region already accommodates Sharia-compliant banking and legal systems.
“Sharia law addresses issues like inheritance, marriage, and divorce among Muslims, and it does not interfere with the practices of other religions,” the monarch stated. He added that religious freedoms guaranteed by the constitution ensure that non-Muslims would not be affected.
The Oluwo further argued that Muslims deserve legal frameworks aligned with their faith, particularly where Islamic perspectives differ from those in Western education, especially regarding 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 noted. “Muslims have the right to choose between customary law or the high court. No government can deny them their inalienable rights.”
Oba Akanbi also pointed out that religious freedom allows both Muslims to practice Sharia and adherents of other religions to follow their beliefs, stressing that Sharia law is not a threat to others.
