The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi, has thrown his weight behind the implementation of Sharia law in Nigeria’s Southwest region, arguing that Islamic legal principles are already deeply embedded in Yoruba society.
Speaking to Sunday PUNCH, the traditional ruler pointed to existing Islamic institutions in the region, including Sharia-compliant banking and educational facilities, as evidence of the law’s established presence.
“Sharia law has been in Iwo for over 100 years, and there is a Sharia college in Iwo,” the monarch stated, highlighting his kingdom’s long-standing connection to Islamic jurisprudence. He emphasized that Muslims should have the freedom to choose between customary law and high court proceedings.
The Oluwo specifically addressed concerns about Muslim personal law, noting that “Many Muslims feel disenfranchised when it comes to the sharing of inheritance and divorce matters.” He argued that Western legal frameworks often fail to adequately address Islamic approaches to marriage, divorce, and inheritance.
Defending his position, Oba Akanbi referenced the Nigerian constitution’s recognition of Sharia law and its implementation in the country’s northern regions. “Anywhere we have Muslims, there is Sharia,” he concluded, suggesting that the practice should be normalized wherever Muslim communities exist.
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