The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), a prominent Islamic advocacy group, has denounced the order by an Ekiti monarch to dissolve the state’s Shari’ah panel, labeling it as illegal and an affront to the constitutional rights of Muslims in the state. The controversy has sparked concerns about the erosion of religious freedom and the rule of law in Ekiti, with MURIC calling for a reversal of the monarch’s decision.

An Islamic human rights organization, Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has described the order given by Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe, directing the dissolution of the Shari’ah panel in Ekiti State as illegal.

It described the action of the traditional ruler as “draconian, illegal, illegitimate, unlawful and unconstitutional”.

SaharaReporters on Saturday reported that the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe, had ordered the dissolution of the Ekiti Shari’ah Panel after summoning the Chief Imam of Ado Ekiti, Shaykh Jamiu Kewulere, to his palace.

The statement issued by MURIC’s headquarters on Sunday was signed by the Executive Director of the organization, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

It said, “The Chief Imam of Ado Ekiti, Shaykh Jamiu Kewulere, was first summoned to the Ewi’s palace where he was allegedly lampooned and ordered to disband the Shari’ah panel.



“MURIC strongly condemns this approach. The Ewi’s order is an affront to Section 38(i)&(ii) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which guarantees freedom of religion. It is, therefore, illegal, illegitimate, unlawful, and unconstitutional. It is draconian, unknown to democratic norms, and alien to global best practices.

“Article 9 of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights & Fundamental Freedoms contains a right to show ‘respect for the religious feelings of believers…’

“The United Nations Charter also criminalises any attack on freedom of religion. Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) guarantees the right to freedom of religion unconditionally.

“The Ewi of Ado Ekiti was quoted as saying, ‘Let’s disband the committee, it doesn’t exist and it will never exist.’ Note the use of the word ‘never’.

“This is an absolute lack of tolerance of other faiths and a manifestation of tons of hatred for Islam and its adherents. The usurpation of executive power by the traditional ruler of Ado-Ekiti should be condemned by all right-thinking people. It is despicable, preposterous, and outrageous.

“The problem with Nigeria is the impunity of leaders who fail to respect the rule of law but follow their whims and caprices. This is why we continue to have problems, and there will be no solution until our leaders learn how to respect the rule of law and the principles of justice, fairness, and equity.

“Yet another clarification of Shari’ah: a Shari’ah panel is a committee of Islamic scholars set up by Muslims to settle marriage and inheritance disputes.

“Churches also set up committees on different matters, and they have not been disturbed in any way. Shari’ah panels also use mosques as venues. They are not courts. No single Christian has ever been summoned to appear before the Shari’ah panels that have been existing in Yorubaland since 2002.

“Anybody who has information contrary to this should come out and tell the world. If this arbitrary order is allowed to stay, very soon, we will start receiving orders that mosques should be shut down in Yorubaland.”