The Sultan of Sokoto and President General, Nigeria Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has thrown his weight behind the establishment of Independent Shariah Arbitration Panels in Oyo and Ekiti States.
The establishment of the Shariah panels in the states have been a controversial topic that has divided many Nigerians in the past few weeks with many believing it would erode the principles of freedom of worship but the Sultan, in a statement on Wednesday, noted that Muslims in the South-West have been denied their constitutional rights to a Shariah Court of Appeal.
He also expressed concern about what he described as the high spate of intolerance and disregard for the rights of Muslims, especially in the southern parts of the country.