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MURIC to FG: Treat Shariah courts as federal courts

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MURIC backs FRSC bill to ban preaching, hawking in commercial buses
Executive Director of MURIC, Professor Ishaq Akintola

MURIC to FG: Treat Shariah courts as federal courts

A human rights group, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has appealed to the Federal Government of Nigeria (FG) to fully integrate Shari’ah courts into the country’s judicial system.

The Muslim rights advocacy group contended that the country’s judicial system as currently being operated is lopsided because Shari’ah is denied in certain parts of the country whereas common law courts are available all over the country. The group therefore called on FG to treat Shari’ah courts like federal courts by establishing Shariah courts directly in all states of the federation the same way federal high courts were established in them.

Making this appeal on Friday, 1st August, 2025 was the Executive Director of the Islamic human rights advocacy group, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

He said:

“The issue of Shari’ah continues to stir concern among Muslim communities. One of the questions recently raised is the fact that the Federal Government still went ahead to establish federal high courts in all states despite their existence at state level. It is also well known that the state and federal high courts exist in all states whereas Shari’ah only exists in the North. There is no single Shari’ah court anywhere in the South.

This implies that although Nigerian Muslims accommodate and tolerate common law courts which originated from Christianity, Nigerian Christians refuse to accommodate or tolerate Shari’ah courts. This amounts to denial of access to justice for Muslims while Christians enjoy full access to their own justice system.

“The onus is therefore on FG to ensure that Muslims are not shortchanged by ensuring that the judicial system is neither selective nor exclusive. The current system whereby all parts of the country accept one judicial system (common law courts) while another system (Shari’ah) is only allowed to operate in only one part of the country is discriminatory, unfair, unjust and therefore unacceptable.

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“It shows clearly that full integration of Muslims and their way of life is still lacking in our society whereas Christian way of life has been allowed to dominate the Nigerian ecosystem.

“The question that may arise from this conversation is ‘What happens if Nigerian Muslims also insist on parity? What happens if they start to set conditions for them to accept any legal system other than their own? What happens if they make acceptance of Shari’ah courts in the South a condition for accepting Christian common law courts in the North and in predominantly Muslim communities?

“MURIC advises FG not to wait until Nigerian Muslims start asking those legitimate questions before integrating Shari’ah courts into the Nigerian judicial system. Of course they are legitimate questions.

“They are legitimate questions because there is no democracy without participation, without inclusiveness. The Nigerian constitution recognizes the tripartite nature of our judicial system: Christian common law, Shari’ah and customary law. Both Christian common law and customary law are already prominently featured all over the country but Shari’ah is restricted to the North thereby robbing Southern Muslims chances of participating in the nation’s judicial exercise.

“It amounts to judicial apartheid against millions of Muslims in the South as well as imposition of Christian law on Northern Muslims. It may be argued that Northern Muslims have an alternative in the existing Shari’ah courts in their region but so could Southern Christians have an alternative in the existing Christian common law courts in their region but they are so intolerant that they refuse to allow Shari’ah courts in their region.

“But what happens if Northern Muslims now elect to be as difficult as Southern Christians? We all know that life goes on in the world because we all recognize the essence of the social rule which says ‘rub my back I rub your back’. What if Northern Muslims play the card ‘if you refuse to rub my back I will stop rubbing your back too’?

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“Christian law courts in the North will become empty the day the region refuses to pay judges in the court and transfer court staff, registrar and clerks, to the Shari’ah courts.

“Afterall the Christian Common law courts in the North survive on taxes paid by Northern Muslims. Ironically, too, the same courts in the South are funded with tax paid by both Muslims and Christians in the South. The money is used to run the Christian courts only even though Muslims also pay whereas their own Shari’ah courts are not beneficiaries. Is that justice?

“Meanwhile state governors in the South have always ignored that section of the Constitution which stipulates the establishment of Shariah courts in all states ‘that desire it’ to mean where ‘the governor desires it’. They simply refuse to implement it despite constant outcries for it coming from Muslims in their states. The way out is for FG to take up that responsibility in the name of fairness, justice and equity by establishing Shari’ah Federal Courts.

“In as much as it is true that Nigeria runs a tripartite judicial system, as far as it is a reality that Southern Muslims also pay tax, if it is a fact that Section 275, 276 and 277 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria stipulates the establishment of Shari’ah courts in all states of the federation, the onus is on FG to treat Shari’ah courts as federal courts by establishing Shariah Federal Courts in all states.

“FG should treat Shari’ah courts like federal courts by establishing Shariah courts directly in all states of the federation the same way federal high courts were established in them.

“We are thinking outside the box. If FG can have its own high courts in all states running parri passu with state high courts, nothing stops the same FG, as father of all, from establishing Shari’ah Federal Courts in each state, at least to pacify aggrieved Muslims who have been denied access to justice for decades. Only thus can Shari’ah be fully integrated into the country’s judicial system, only thus can justice be strongly entrenched, and justice is the soul of peace.”

#Shari’ahCourts
#GiveUsShariahFederalCourtsNow

Professor Ishaq Akintola,
Founder/Executive Director,
Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

MURIC to FG: Treat Shariah courts as federal courts

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South African Woman Jailed 25 Years for Smuggling 5.75kg Heroin into Nigeria

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September 17, 2026

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South African Woman Jailed 25 Years for Smuggling 5.75kg Heroin into Nigeria
Will Jessica Ann

South African Woman Jailed 25 Years for Smuggling 5.75kg Heroin into Nigeria

A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced a 38-year-old South African woman, Will Jessica Ann, to 25 years in prison for importing 5.75 kilogrammes of heroin into Nigeria through the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

Justice Obiora Egwuatu handed down the sentence after Ann pleaded guilty to charges brought against her by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

The defendant was sentenced to 15 years on the first count and 25 years on the second count, with both terms ordered to run concurrently. This means she will serve a maximum of 25 years, rather than 40 years.

The case dates back to July 6, 2026, when NDLEA operatives intercepted Ann during the inward clearance of passengers arriving on Qatar Airways Flight QR1433 from Doha at the Abuja airport.

Ann was travelling with her three-year-old son when she was stopped by anti-narcotics officers.

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According to details presented in court, the NDLEA said Ann initially denied having any checked-in luggage. However, operatives reportedly established that two suitcases containing the illicit substance carried baggage tags corresponding with the claim tags attached to her passport.

The agency said the two suitcases contained 14 large blocks of heroin, weighing a total of 5.75kg.

Ann reportedly admitted ownership of the luggage and told investigators that she had travelled from Cambodia through Doha before arriving in Abuja.

During the proceedings, the prosecution also told the court that Ann had admitted to conspiring with Jan Coenraad De Jager, a South African man who remains at large.

She was subsequently arraigned on a two-count charge bordering on conspiracy and unlawful importation of heroin under the relevant provisions of the law.

Ann pleaded guilty to the charges in August, prompting the prosecution to present the facts of the case before the court proceeded to sentencing.

The court was told that the seized heroin had an estimated street value of about ₦103.5 million, based on an estimated value of approximately ₦18 million per kilogramme.

Ann pleaded for leniency, expressed remorse and promised not to engage in drug trafficking again. She also told the court that she did not know there were illicit drugs in the bags.

After considering the facts of the case, Justice Egwuatu sentenced her to 15 years on Count One and 25 years on Count Two, directing that the sentences run concurrently.

The court also ordered that the seized heroin should be destroyed if the convict does not appeal within the period prescribed by law.

The case is part of the NDLEA‘s efforts to intercept illicit drug consignments being brought into Nigeria through international airports and other entry points.

The seizure at Abuja airport, followed by the defendant’s guilty plea and conviction, has resulted in the 25-year custodial sentence imposed by the Federal High Court.

South African Woman Jailed 25 Years for Smuggling 5.75kg Heroin into Nigeria

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Kaduna Troops Rescue Two-Year-Old Boy From Kidnappers, Search for Mother Continues

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10 hours ago

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September 17, 2026

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Kaduna Troops Rescue Two-Year-Old Boy From Kidnappers, Search for Mother Continues

A two-year-old boy is back with his family after troops rescued him from suspected kidnappers in Kaduna State.

Jafaru Baba was abducted with his mother from Ungwan Nungu village in Sanga Local Government Area. Troops later recovered the child after tracking the kidnappers to an area around Tayu Village.

The rescue followed intelligence received by security forces about the movement of the abductors and their victims.

According to security sources cited by security analyst Zagazola Makama, troops launched the operation at about 4pm on Wednesday, September 16.

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They searched Tayu High Grounds, Tayu Village and surrounding parts of Sanga LGA. The operation later brought the troops into contact with the suspected kidnappers.

A gunfight followed, forcing the abductors to retreat into the bush. In the process, they left the toddler behind.

The troops quickly secured Jafaru and later handed him over to his father.

Security sources said the troops fired 17 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition during the confrontation.

Meanwhile, the search has not ended. Security personnel are still combing the area for the child’s mother, who remains in the kidnappers’ custody.

They are also pursuing the suspects who fled after the encounter, as efforts continue to rescue the woman and bring those responsible for the abduction into custody.

Kaduna Troops Rescue Two-Year-Old Boy From Kidnappers, Search for Mother Continues

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Niger Mosque Abductions: Terrorists Execute 30 of 500 Captive Muslim Worshippers

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19 hours ago

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September 16, 2026

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Niger Mosque Abductions: Terrorists Execute 30 of 500 Captive Muslim Worshippers
Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu

Niger Mosque Abductions: Terrorists Execute 30 of 500 Captive Muslim Worshippers

MINNA, NIGERIA – The mass abduction of worshippers from mosques in Niger State has escalated dramatically, with armed terrorists reportedly executing some of the hundreds of captives seized during Friday prayers. The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, travelled to Niger State on Saturday to assess the security situation and ordered reinforced rescue operations.

The attacks occurred on Friday, 21 August 2026, at approximately 2pm. Police spokesperson Wasiu Abiodun confirmed that armed men simultaneously attacked mosques in four communities – Dekara, Kpenya, Sabon-Gida and Gidan-Zana – in the Borgu Local Government Area, while Muslims were observing Friday prayers. Witnesses described scenes of chaos. A Dekara resident, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the terrorists surrounded the mosque shortly after prayers began. “As soon as the imam said ‘Assalamualaikum’, the bandits surrounded the mosque and took people away.” Local residents estimate that more than 60 people were abducted from Dekara Central Mosque alone. In Gbezhin community, no fewer than 100 people remained unaccounted for as of Sunday evening. The terrorists later released a video claiming to hold approximately 500 captives, including women and children, with the sound of children crying audible in the footage.

On Saturday, the terrorists issued a warning to surrounding communities, ordering residents to vacate their homes within 30 minutes and threatening: “We will kill anyone we meet when we return.” Those threats appear to have been carried out. A Dekara resident told Daily Trust: “We received information that some of the abducted worshippers have been killed, but we do not know the exact number. Soldiers and vigilantes have moved to recover the bodies, but all routes accessible to security personnel have been planted with improvised explosive devices.” The Niger State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), through its chairman, Bishop Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, confirmed that approximately 30 worshippers who attempted to flee were shot dead by the gunmen. This figure corresponds with reporting by NPO Reports.

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The continuing violence and execution threats have triggered mass displacement. Resident Usman Musa told journalists that more than 200 residents from Gbezin had fled to neighbouring Benin Republic for safety. Another resident added that approximately 230 residents from Gidan-Zana and Sabon-Gida were taking refuge in Gawungi, inside Benin, while others had fled to Kwara State to stay with relatives.

Among those abducted are several prominent community figures. According to Ismaila Yahaya, the 90-year-old village head of Ka’ada was among those taken. He is the biological father of the District Head of Dekara and had only recently been released from a previous kidnapping. The violence in Borgu Emirate has not been confined to the mosque attacks. The Niger State Government confirmed that Alhaji Ahmed Yusuf, the village head of Galla, was killed by armed men at his residence. Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago expressed condolences, describing the killing as evidence of the bandits’ “extreme arrogance”.

Amid the escalating crisis, Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu visited Niger State on Saturday, 29 August, meeting with Deputy Governor Yakubu Garba at the Government House in Minna. He conveyed his condolences to the families of the victims and pledged that “the safe rescue of the kidnapped victims and bringing the perpetrators to justice remains the focus of current operations”. Disu has ordered the deployment of elite reinforcements to Niger State, including counter-terrorism units, tactical squads and the police air wing. Assistant Inspector-General of Police Victor Olaiya of Zone 7 has been dispatched to coordinate rescue efforts. Addressing officers at the Niger State Police Command, the Inspector-General said: “Nigerians are watching to see the police do what is right. I am not here for ceremony, but to bring a strong message of support to officers and soldiers working under difficult conditions.”

The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) described the attacks as “heinous and barbaric”, calling on the Federal Government to “move beyond sporadic rescue operations” and establish a permanent, intelligence-driven and community-centred security architecture. The Christian Association of Nigeria’s Niger State chapter urged the government to provide adequate security at places of worship nationwide, stressing that “an attack on any place of worship is an attack on the sanctity of worship and a threat to the wider community”. Amnesty International also urged Nigerian authorities to secure the safe release of the abducted worshippers, noting that at least 1,100 people were abducted in the country between January and April 2026, with the actual figure likely to be far higher.

As of press time, the Niger State Government said it had not received any contact or demands from the kidnappers. Information Commissioner Obed Nuhu, speaking in a television interview, said the attacks were suspected to have been carried out by Lakurawa and Boko Haram elements, though the exact number of victims remained unverified.

Niger Mosque Abductions: Terrorists Execute 30 of 500 Captive Muslim Worshippers

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