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Shari’ah: MURIC accuses Makinde of not getting proper briefing

Published

1 day ago

December 27, 2024

Executive Director of MURIC, Professor Ishaq Akintola

Shari’ah: MURIC accuses Makinde of not getting proper briefing

An Islamic human rights organisation, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has accused Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, of failing to receive a proper briefing before opposing Shari’ah.

A statement issued by the Executive Director of MURIC, Professor Ishaq Akintola, on Friday, 27th December, 2024, the group said Makinde spoke in ignorance of the true situation on ground.
The group advised government officials to get adequate briefing before commenting on issues particularly sensitive matters like religion.
The full statement read: “Engr. Seyi Makinde, the executive governor of Oyo State, recently spoke against the Shari’ah in Oyo State. It is quite obvious that the governor was not properly briefed before coming out publicly to make scathing remarks about Shari’ah.

“Makinde spoke from a position of ignorance about the subject matter, particularly about the true situation on ground. It is advisable for government officials to get adequate briefing before commenting on issues particularly sensitive matters like religion.

“This is so because neither Muslims nor Christians can allow anyone, not even a governor, to ridicule their religion. That is why any government that does not want to be embarrassed should not make frivolous statements that can be debunked even by children in kindergarten classes.

“To this end, it has come to our knowledge that shortly after some uninformed and misguided Yoruba youths declared publicly that they did not want Shari’ah in Yorubaland, Governor Makinde announced in a viral video clip that Shari’ah was not in the constitution which he swore to defend.

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“But Makinde lied. Shariah is in the constitution. It is either the governor feigned ignorance of it for reasons best known to him or he was not properly briefed. We expected the governor to have consulted the legal arm of his government before uttering that fallacious statement.

“Section 275(1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria allows the states to establish Shari’ah Courts of Appeal. It says inter alia, ‘There shall be for any state that desires it a Shari’ah Court of Appeal for that state’. This is the reality on ground unless the governor is saying that Oyo State has been carved out of the entity called Nigeria or that his own constitution is different from what Nigerians are using.

“We find the governor leveraging on a typographical error committed by the organisers of the Shari’ah programme in Oyo town who wrote ‘the word ‘Court’ instead of ‘Panel’ in the invitation sent out which reads: ‘Inauguration Ceremony of Shariah Court in Oyo Town and its Environs’ but should have read: ‘Inauguration Ceremony of Shariah Panel in Oyo Town and its Environs’.

“The governor deliberately exploited the typographical error because we know that he cannot claim to be unaware of the existence of many Shari’ah panels in Yorubaland.

“A Shariah Panel has been sitting at the Central Mosque in Oja Oba, established since 1st May, 2002 to date. Makinde met the panel there and it will still be there when he leaves office in 2027. There is nothing he can do about that.

“Shari’ah panels are spread all over Yorubaland. It has been in Lagos since 1993. Ogun State got its own Shari’ah panel on 17th January, 2018 and its first sitting took place on 2nd February of the same year at the Egba Muslims Central Mosque, Kobiti, Abeokuta.

“Oshogbo got a taste of the Shari’ah panel in 2005 and it is on record that conventional courts in Osun refer Imamate and inheritance cases to the Shari’ah panel. The latest and newest is the 11-member Ekiti State Shari’ah Arbitration Panel which was sworn in on Friday, 1st November, 2024 (https://independent.ng/ekiti-sharia-arbitration-panel-shall-dispense-justice-to-all-grand-qadi/; https://dailytrust.com/kwara-grand-kadi-inaugurates-ekiti-shariah-arbitration-panel/)

“Makinde is just grandstanding. He cannot say he is unaware of all these Shari’ah panels which are everywhere in Yorubaland. It is just that politicians cannot stop making political statements. It is semantics. Makinde simply played tricks with the words ‘court’ and ‘panel’. He knew the organisers of that event meant to write ‘panel’.

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“These Shari’ah panels were established as alternative dispute settlement centres for Muslims. They are not conventional courts per se but channels for Muslims to ventilate family disputes and vehicles for tackling Muslim civil matters like inheritance, marriage and divorce which can only be understood and satisfactorily resolved by experts in Islamic law.

“Makinde just shot himself in the foot anyway. This is the same governor who is warming up for Aso Rock. After talking about our Shari’ah in this manner, we wonder how he will navigate the tortuous and windy road to the presidency in a country demographically skewed in favour of Muslims. He should remember that even Peter Obi’s ‘Yes Daddy’ mantra was to no avail.

“MURIC advises government officials and the general public in Yorubaland to understand the concept of civil Shari’ah. Yoruba youths in particular should not allow themselves to be misled by Muslim haters. Like Nigeria, Yorubaland belongs to us all. Nobody is going anywhere for anybody.

“Muslims, Christians and traditionalists must learn to peacefully coexist. We must learn to tolerate Muslim civil Shari’ah just as the Muslims have been tolerating Christian laws and their courts for decades.

“We should not allow trouble-makers, rabble-rousers and irredentists to lead us by the nose. The Muslim Shari’ah panel is for Muslims alone and it is only to settle disagreements among Muslims. No Christian can appear in our Shariah panel. It is not even a court and it has no power of enforcement in any form.

“Yoruba people must not listen to those inciting them against their Muslim neighbours. There is nothing to fear in ordinary Shari’ah panel. Beware, the Bible warns: ‘My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge, Because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee …’ (Hosea 4:6).

“We appeal to Muslims in Oyo State in particular and Yorubaland in general to ignore all forms of provocations. Islam is a religion based on knowledge and peaceful behaviour. We must therefore manifest patience and maturity at all times.”

Shari’ah: MURIC accuses Makinde of not getting proper briefing

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Suspected IPOB members kill two soldiers in Imo

Published

3 hours ago

December 28, 2024

Trends Admin

Nigerian Military Troop

Suspected IPOB members kill two soldiers in Imo

The Nigerian Army has confirmed the death of two soldiers and the theft of their weapons by operatives of the Eastern Security Network (ESN), the militant arm of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

IPOB is a separatist group advocating for the creation of the Republic of Biafra, citing longstanding grievances over the marginalization of Nigeria’s South-East region since the Biafra-Nigeria civil war.

In a statement released on Saturday, the Nigerian Army explained that the incident occurred in Osina, Ideator North Local Government Area of Imo State, when troops from the 34 Artillery Brigade, returning from a routine patrol, responded to an emergency call about an attack on Osina Community by IPOB/ESN forces.

The statement revealed that upon arrival, the troops engaged the “terrorists” with overwhelming firepower, resulting in casualties among the attackers. However, the Army did not provide specific numbers, only noting that the “dissidents” eventually withdrew in disarray.

“Unfortunately, two security agents had been killed in action and one other missing in action, with their weapons—a AK-47 rifle and a tear gas launcher—being seized by the terrorists,” the statement said.

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The Army confirmed that the bodies of the fallen soldiers had been recovered, and the troops pursued the fleeing militants.

“Contact was again made with the criminal IPOB/ESN elements at Nkwachi Community, and in the firefight that ensued, one of the dissidents was neutralized while others, unable to withstand the troop’s firepower, retreated into the nearby forest. One AK-47 rifle with a fully loaded magazine was recovered, ” the statement said, adding that the troops continued their pursuit into Umalouma forest, where another intense exchange of fire took place.

“The dissidents eventually abandoned their weapons due to the troops’ superior firepower and scattered into the dense forest with severe gunshot wounds. An additional four AK-47 rifles, one Fabrique Nationale rifle, and two magazines were recovered,” the statement added.

The Army assured the public that operations would continue, with efforts to track down and eliminate the remaining criminals. “Further exploitation is ongoing as troops continue to track down the injured terrorists and flush them out of their hideouts and treatment locations,” the statement stated. “We urge all IPOB/ESN elements and other criminals hiding in the bushes to surrender to the nearest troops or face defeat, as the Brigade will ensure that the people of Imo celebrate the Yuletide season in peace, free from fear or intimidation.”

The Nigerian Army also called on the people of Imo State to continue providing timely intelligence to assist in the fight against criminal elements and help rid the state of lawlessness.

Suspected IPOB members kill two soldiers in Imo

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13 passengers burnt to death in Ondo auto crash

Published

3 hours ago

December 28, 2024

Trends Admin

An accident scene File photo

13 passengers burnt to death in Ondo auto crash

The Federal Road Safety Corps, Ondo State Sector Command, says no fewer than 13 people were burnt to death along Ikare-Akoko/ Owo Road on Saturday in the state.

Dr Samuel Ibitoye, FRSC State Sector Commander made this known in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria on Saturday in Akure.

“FRSC regrets to inform the public about a road traffic crash that occurred today 28 December, 2024 at Abule Panu before Ose Bridge, on Owo-Ikare highway, Ondo State.

“The fatal crash which occurred at about 10:14 AM claimed 13 lives of commuters in two buses.

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“A total of 14 people were involved, out of which 13 were burnt beyond recognition, while only one was rescued alive with serious injuries.

“Eyewitness account indicates that the bus coming from Ikare axis had a tyre burst which led to loss of control.

“This was resultant in a head-on collision with the bus loaded with fabric coming from Owo axis.

“Immediately after the collision, the two buses went up in flames. The men of FRSC, Police and Fire Service were swiftly at the crash scene for rescue,” he said.

The FRSC boss said that the injured victim was taken to Federal Medical Centre, Owo, while the deceased were deposited at the morgue of the same hospital.

He, therefore, advised drivers to exercise patience on the roads and passionately maintain their vehicles.

“Passengers are also encouraged to speak out against dangerous driving because road safety is a concern of all,” Ibitoye said.

13 passengers burnt to death in Ondo auto crash
NAN

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NDDC empowers Niger Delta young entrepreneurs with N30bn

Published

3 hours ago

December 28, 2024

Trends Admin

NDDC empowers Niger Delta young entrepreneurs with N30bn

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has pledged to galvanise the Niger Delta Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Trade, Mines and Agriculture (NDCCITMA) by releasing N30 billion counterpart fund for the development of young entrepreneurs.

The NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku who disclosed this in Port Harcourt, restated the Commission’s commitment to empowering the people of the region through economic programmes.

He highlighted the NDCCITMA’s role in training youths, supporting SMEs, and designing industry-friendly skill development programmes.

Ogbuku said the NDDC was supporting the NDCCITMA to drive economic growth and development in the Niger Delta region by providing financial support, training and networking opportunities for businesses and entrepreneurs.

He said, “We are providing N30 billion to fund projects and support businesses to ensure the sustainability of our youth development initiatives.

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“We will release the matching funds so the entrepreneurs can access them to boost their businesses. In our 2024 budget, we have provision for N30 billion which we are to use as matching funds for the chamber of commerce. We are working towards releasing this fund so that the chamber of commerce can start work in earnest.

“The Niger Delta Chamber of Commerce will strengthen young entrepreneurs in the region. It is no longer acceptable for our youths to be contented with receiving stipends while at home doing nothing.
Ogbuku remarked that the Commission was collaborating with the Bank of Industry, BOI, to ensure the success of NDDC’s youth development programmes.

“The current NDDC Board and Management choose to look at sustainable options in designing youth programmes. In the past, we did a lot in supporting entrepreneurs in the Niger Delta but these activities were not properly documented and backed with verifiable data.

“Our new strategy is to support genuine entrepreneurs rather than people who are just portfolio entrepreneurs because we know that the government alone cannot employ everybody. Many university graduates are coming out, and the government cannot employ all of them. However, we can empower them by creating an environment where they can engage other persons to expand their businesses.”