Ekiti Muslim community Defies Oba’s order to disband Shari’ah Panel, says it’s baseless and abuse of power

The Muslim community in Ekiti State has strongly opposed the directive issued by Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe to disband the Shari’ah arbitration panel set up in the state capital’s central mosque, describing the decision as baseless and an outright abuse of power.

Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe, issued the directive in Ado-Ekiti on Saturday during a meeting with Jamie Kewulere, chief imam and president of the league of imams and alfas in the south-west, Edo and Delta states; traditional rulers and other Muslim leaders. The monarch said that though the panel was set up with good intentions, the timing is unsuitable.

In his statement, he said “if it is allowed to exist, other faiths will want to tow the same path,and before you know it, it will lead to crises”.

“Based on this Sharia issue, I summoned the Chief Imam and his lieutenants, members of the Ewi-in-Council, the president of Ado Progressives Union and Ado sons and daughters to discuss the matter because it is a sensitive issue,” Oba Adeyemo added. 

“We all listened and it appears they set up a committee at the Central Mosque with the intention to listen to disputes. According to them, they have good intentions and it was an internal arrangement that has nothing to do with any external person or somebody influencing them.”

Adejugbe addressed while narrating to The Punch : “I told them that there is no need for the committee and they should dissolve the committee henceforth. That is the decision of the Ewi-in-Council and that is the position of all Ado sons and daughters. The panel stands dissolved, If we should allow such committees, the Christians too will want to set up committees in their various churches, the traditional worshippers too and before you know it, it will lead to crises.” 

However, reacting to Adejugbe’s comments, the Irepodun Muslim Community, Ekiti State in a communique issued after an emergency meeting under the leadership of its Chairman, Alhaji Adebomojo Tiamiyu said it was a blatant misuse of power.

The community stated that the Independent Shariah Panel is a state-wide institution established by Muslims across Ekiti and not a local matter subject to the jurisdiction of the Ewi-in-Council, adding that the panel’s existence is integral to their religious affairs and cannot be unilaterally banned by any external authority.

They further reiterated their loyalty to the leadership of the League of Imams and Alfas in the South West, Edo, and Delta States, as well as the Ekiti State Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs led by Alhaji Dr. H. A. Bakare.

In addition, the community called for peace and unity among all stakeholders in the state, urging actions that would foster harmony among residents regardless of religious or ethnic backgrounds.