Monarch Orders Disbandment of Shari’ah Panel in Ekiti

The Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe, has instructed the Chief Imam of Ekiti State, Alhaji Jamiu Kewulere, to dissolve the Shari’ah panel that was established by the central mosque in the state.

This directive follows a recent dismissal by the Ekiti State Government of the Independent Shari’ah Arbitration Panel, with the state’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Dayo Apata (SAN), stating that the panel was not recognized by the state’s judicial system. According to Apata, matters of arbitration and mediation are regulated by law within the state’s existing legal framework, which includes the Customary Court, Customary Court of Appeal, and High Court. These courts have handled issues related to Islamic, Christian, and traditional marriages and inheritance without any conflict.

The Shari’ah panel, led by three Kadhis—Imam Abdullahi Abdul-Mutolib, Imam Abdulraheem Junaid-Bamigbola, and Dr. Ibrahim Aminullahi-Ogunrinde—had convened in Ado-Ekiti and dealt with two marriage-related disputes at its inaugural session.

However, during a meeting with the Ewi-in-Council and the leadership of the Muslim community in his palace on Saturday, Oba Adejugbe expressed his concerns about the panel’s formation. He noted that the current national mood was not conducive to the establishment of such a committee, fearing it could spark unnecessary tension in the state.

“I understand that they may have had good intentions with this panel, but the current climate in the country doesn’t support such actions. If left unchecked, this could lead to avoidable conflict,” Oba Adejugbe explained.

He further emphasized that if allowed to continue, other religious and traditional groups might feel compelled to set up their own similar panels, potentially escalating tensions. “We cannot allow this to happen, as it could lead to serious issues,” the monarch added.

Oba Adejugbe called for a return to the traditional methods of resolving disputes, as practiced by the community’s ancestors, and ordered that the Shari’ah panel be dissolved immediately.

Responding to the monarch’s directive, Alhaji Kewulere, the Chief Imam of Ekiti State and president of the League of Imams for the Southwest, Edo, and Delta states, defended the Shari’ah panel. He explained that the panel was created to peacefully resolve marital and family disputes within the Muslim community, with a focus on issues such as inheritance and marriage.

Kewulere rejected claims that external forces influenced the establishment of the panel and reiterated the community’s commitment to peace. “Our aim is simply to ensure peaceful coexistence. We want to handle our issues internally to prevent any potential conflicts,” he said, stressing that the panel’s primary function was to resolve issues within the Islamic community without external interference.