The Muslim Public Affairs Centre (MPAC) has strongly criticized the recent directive by the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe, to dissolve the Ekiti State Shari’ah Panel. In a press release issued today, MPAC described the order as an attack on the constitutional rights of Muslims and a blatant infringement on their religious freedoms.
In a statement signed by Disu Kamor, Executive Chairman
Muslim Public Affairs Centre.
Citing Section 38(i)&(ii) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which guarantees freedom of religion, MPAC emphasized that the dissolution order undermines the fundamental rights of Nigerian Muslims to practice their faith. The organization condemned the move as “draconian,” noting that it contravenes democratic norms and global best practices.
“The impunity displayed by leaders who disregard the rule of law will not be tolerated by the Muslim community nationwide,” stated Disu Kamor, Executive Chairman of MPAC. “The Nigerian Constitution guarantees freedom of religion, and we will not stand idly by while the rights of Muslims are trampled upon by orders designed to subjugate them.”
According to MPAC, Shari’ah panels serve a specific function within the Muslim community, focusing on resolving disputes related to marriage and inheritance. These panels, which operate independently of the formal judicial system, are not courts and do not impose their rulings on non-Muslims. MPAC highlighted that Shari’ah panels exist in many democratic countries, including the United Kingdom and Canada, without conflicting with secular laws.
The organization called on the government across the South-West region to protect the religious freedoms of all citizens, urging the authorities to safeguard the constitutional rights of Muslims in Ekiti State. “It is essential that governments respect and uphold the religious rights of all Nigerians, ensuring peaceful coexistence and harmony among diverse communities,” MPAC stated.
The group also appealed to the Federal Government, human rights organizations, and the international community to condemn the dissolution order, describing it as an unjustified attempt to curtail the religious freedom of Muslims.
MPAC reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for the rights of Nigerian Muslims and fostering peaceful coexistence among all citizens.
