Abdulrazzaq Alaro’s Law Professor at the University of Ilorin reiterated his call for the wider application of Sharia law in Nigeria, believing it has the capacity to address national challenges and strengthen social justice.
Speaking on Sunday at the Aare Afe Babalola Bar Center in Iyaganku, Ibadan, on Sunday, at the Ramadan 2025 speech held by Oyo State Branch of the Nigerian Muslim Bar Association, Alaro stressed that Sharia includes Sharia including all known branches of law and includes all principles applicable to norms of human behavior.
Alaro addressed concerns about the so-called Islamization agenda, dismissing unfounded fears. He will oppose the Sharia law, especially in southern Nigeria, as a deprivation of the legitimate rights of Muslims.
“In addition to the criminal justice system, Sharia law covers a variety of branches of law, including public and private law, commercial and commercial law, municipal and international law, and substantive and procedural law. As a professor of Islam, I can confidently point out that there are no branches of law recognized by common law or any other legal system.
“When Allah, the ultimate legislator, declared in the Qur’an, ‘we do not ignore anything in the book,’ it affirms that the laws and principles of Sharia cover the branches of the past, present and even future. If implemented properly, the Islamists will be able to deal with our social challenges and strengthen justice.” Alaro asserted.
He used Islamic banking and Sukok bonds as examples, highlighting how the financial system based on Islamic teachings has successfully contributed to public project funding.
He noted: “Sukuk has promoted the development of 124 road projects covering more than 5,280 km in six geopolitical regions in Nigeria, but Nigeria remains a multi-religious country.”
Alaro argues that applying Sharia in other aspects of governance will not change Nigeria’s secular status.
Regarding the punitive aspects of Sharia, Alaro clarified that the criminal justice system is only an integral part.
“As some believe, Sharia is not just about death or amputation. It takes precedence over deterrence rather than punishment. More importantly, Sharia provides a comprehensive legal framework that complements existing systems while ensuring justice is consistent with citizens’ religious beliefs and constitutional rights to religious freedom and conscience,” he explained.
Alaro stressed that insisting that Islam is a Muslim obligation and warned against its application.
“The Constitution of 1999 (amended) guarantees freedom of thought, conscience and religion. In any state without a Sharia court, Muslims cannot fully exercise their religious rights. The absence of an appeal court in the southern states is an obvious deprivation of the constitutional rights of Muslims.”
He questioned why no southern states established Sharia courts, despite a considerable Muslim population. “Do we recommend that Muslims in these states should not obtain their religious legal system?” he asked.
Alaro also resolved the attention
The establishment of a sharia court would lead to Islamization, saying that this fear was “unfounded and driven by ignorance or mischief.” He explained that the Sharia court will deal with issues related to Muslims, including marriage, divorce, inheritance and civil disputes.
Looking ahead to the 2027 election, Alaro urges Muslims to prioritize candidates who support Sharia law. He declared: “Muslim associations and stakeholders must support candidates committed to advancing Muslim affairs, including the implementation of Sharia law in their states.”
Professor Musliu Yahya in southwestern Nigeria also stressed that Muslims must be consistent with the teachings of the Quran and the Nigerian Constitution.
Panel member and Oyo State High Court judge Kareem Adedokun attributed misunderstandings about Sharia law in southern Nigeria to ignorance and religious intolerance. He called for continued sensitivity to political leaders, pastors and socio-cultural groups to promote understanding.
Mutiu Abdulsalam, on behalf of Lotus Bank, reaffirmed the right of Islamists to be Muslims and cited the success of Islamic Bank and Sukok, proving that the implementation of Sharia law does not equal Islamization.
Akeem Agbaje, Chairman of the Mulan Ramadan Lecture Program Committee, stressed the importance of continuous sensitization to enhance understanding of the meaning of Islam to Muslims.
Other spokespersons noted that contradictions in the 1999 constitution failed to require the establishment of Sharia courts in all states and called for a constitutional review.
Notable attendees included President of the Nigerian Bar Association of Ibrahim Lawal Ibadan Branch; Justice Rukayat Yetunde; Justice Oladejo Akanbi; Member of the Southwest/Northwest Federal Constituency of Ibadan, Stanley Olajid; Attorney General Oyo Abiodun Aikomo; Service and Retired Justice; Islamic Scholar; and Pastor.
