MURIC urges FG to establish Shari’ah Federal Courts Nationwide

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called on the Federal Government of Nigeria to fully integrate Shari’ah courts into the national judicial framework, describing the current system as unbalanced and discriminatory against Nigerian Muslims.

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In a statement issued on Friday, August 1, 2025, MURIC’s Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, argued that the exclusive operation of Shari’ah courts in the North, while common law courts function across all states, amounts to “judicial apartheid” and denies Southern Muslims access to justice through their own legal tradition.

“It is well known that state and federal high courts exist in all states, whereas Shari’ah only exists in the North,” Akintola stated. “There is no single Shari’ah court anywhere in the South.”

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Citing provisions in Sections 275–277 of the 1999 Constitution, which permit the establishment of Shari’ah courts in states “that desire it,” MURIC claimed that Southern state governments have consistently ignored calls by Muslim communities to implement this legal option.

“Southern governors interpret ‘desire’ as theirs alone, not that of the Muslim populace. That’s unacceptable in a country built on democratic principles,” Akintola said.

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He further urged the Federal Government to take proactive steps by creating Shari’ah Federal Courts across the country, akin to the structure of Federal High Courts, to ensure judicial fairness, inclusivity, and constitutional compliance.

Akintola also warned of growing discontent among Muslims, emphasising that continued exclusion could trigger reciprocal resistance to the dominance of common law courts in Muslim-majority areas.

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“Common law courts are funded by taxes paid by Muslims and Christians alike, but Shari’ah courts are denied such recognition. That’s not justice. That’s marginalisation,” he added.

MURIC emphasized that addressing this imbalance is not only about legal equity but also about national unity and religious harmony.