The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called on the National Assembly to initiate a bill that would allow for the establishment of Federal Shari’ah Courts across Nigeria, especially in the southern region.
In a statement released on Monday and signed by its Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, the Islamic human rights group said the move would address what it described as the imbalance in Nigeria’s judicial system.
According to MURIC, Nigeria’s legal system is built on three main pillars—common law, customary law, and Islamic (Shari’ah) law.
However, only common and customary laws currently have national coverage, while Shari’ah law remains limited to northern Nigeria.
“We are urging the Senate and House of Representatives to correct this imbalance by creating Federal Shari’ah Courts, particularly in the South, where Muslims currently lack access to courts that reflect their religious and legal preferences,” the statement said.
Akintola argued that while southern state governments, mostly led by Christian governors, have shown reluctance to establish Shari’ah courts, the Federal Government should step in and provide the necessary judicial structure to serve Muslim communities in those regions.
He also emphasized that the constitution, under Sections 275, 276, and 277, grants Nigerian Muslims the right to use Shari’ah law, particularly in matters involving personal status, marriage, and inheritance.
MURIC stated that the National Assembly has a duty to act by introducing a bill or amending the constitution to give the Federal Government the authority to set up Shari’ah courts across the country, just as it has done with federal high courts and courts of appeal.
The group also referenced its earlier submission to the Senate and House committees on constitutional amendment in July 2025, describing this new call as a follow-up.
MURIC concluded by urging lawmakers to consider the appeal as a matter of justice and inclusiveness for Muslims living in southern Nigeria.
