Ewi orders suspension of Sharia arbitration panel in Ado Ekiti

The Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe, has dissolved the Sharia Arbitration Panel recently established at the Central Mosque in Ado Ekiti.
The decision, announced on Saturday, was made to promote peaceful coexistence and maintain law and order in the community.
The monarch made the announcement during a meeting with community leaders, including chiefs, indigenes, the Chief Imam and President of the League of Imams and Alfas in the Southwest, Edo, and Delta states, Sheik Jamiu Kewulere, as well as other Muslim leaders in Ado Ekiti. The meeting was convened to address rising tensions over the establishment of the panel.
The directive followed a statement by the Ekiti State Government, which clarified that the state’s legal framework does not recognize Sharia Courts or Arbitration Panels.
The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dayo Apata (SAN), emphasized that matters related to Islamic, Christian, and traditional marriages, as well as inheritance disputes, are already handled by existing legal institutions such as the Customary Court, Customary Court of Appeal, and High Court.
Oba Adejugbe explained the decision:
“Based on this Sharia issue, I summoned the Chief Imam, 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.
“They informed me that the committee was set up within the mosque to handle disputes internally, with no external influence. However, I made it clear that the current national climate does not support such an arrangement.”
The monarch added, “The mood of the nation will not allow such to happen now. They should revert to how disputes were resolved in the past without setting up a formal committee.
“The panel stands dissolved. Allowing such committees could lead to Christians and traditional worshippers establishing similar panels, potentially resulting in crises.”
In his remarks, the Chief Imam, Sheik Jamiu Kewulere, acknowledged the creation of the panel, which had already resolved a marriage dispute and adjourned another.
However, he dismissed claims of ulterior motives, stating that the committee’s purpose was to address inheritance matters among Muslim members.
“Muslims and adherents of other religions have been enjoying cordial relationships. The committee was simply set up to look into inheritance issues in the interest of our members. It was not created to cause any crisis or to serve external influences,” Kewulere said.