By Damilare Adeleye
The inauguration of a Sharia Court in Oyo State, Southwest Nigeria, by an Islamic group under the aegis of the state chapter of the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria, has been postponed indefinitely.
It was gathered that the event was earlier planned for January 11, 2025.
The new development was communicated in a statement signed by the Khadimul Muslimeen of Oyo Kingdom, Imam Daud Igi Ogun, on Tuesday.
“On behalf of the Oyo Muslim indigenes, this is to inform the general public that the inauguration ceremony of the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (Oyo branch) previously scheduled for January 11th, 2025, at the Muslim Community Islamic Center, Oba Adeyemi High School Road, Mobolaje Area, Agbongangan, Oyo, has been suspended until further notice. Islam portrays peace!” the statement read.
The group had scheduled to hold the event at Muslim Community Islamic Centre, Oba Adeyemi High School Road, Mobolaje Area, Oyo.
A Yoruba group had earlier heavily kicked against the move to unveil a Sharia court in Southwest Nigeria.
The group’s position was communicated in a statement by Yoruba National Youth Leader (Diaspora), Prophet Ayodele Ologunloluwa, and the Homebase Leader, Comrade Oyegunle Oluwamayowa Omotoyole.
In the statement, the group vowed to defend Yoruba ancestral land “against any form of destabilization, including efforts to impose Sharia law.”
The statement declared: “We will resist any move to impose Sharia law or courts in Yorubaland. Yoruba culture and traditions are distinct, and any attempt to introduce alien laws will be met with fierce opposition
.”Describing the proposal as “laughable,” the group vowed to mobilize resistance if the plan moves forward.
“We warn the Nigerian government not to create divisions in Yorubaland. Our focus is on Yoruba Nation self-determination, and we will not allow any external influence to derail our struggle,” the group added.
It further urged Yoruba citizens to remain vigilant and be ready to defend their land from any external influence or imposition.It demanded the immediate withdrawal of the plan and called on Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, South-West governors, Yoruba monarchs, senators, and other leaders to reject the proposal and safeguard Yoruba cultural heritage.“We will not allow any attempt to disrupt the peace of Yorubaland under the guise of religious imposition,” it said.
