Muslim Lawyers decry restriction of shari’a scope in Nigeria constitution

From Mika’il Tsoho, Dutse

Muslim Lawyers Association of Nigeria (MULAN) has called for the expansion of the Sharia scope in the on-going Nigerian constitutional amendment.
The call was made at the opening ceremony of the MULAN National Executive Council meeting held in Dutse, Jigawa state, with theme “Catalyzing the Attainment of Justice Through the Use of Sharia in Nigeria”
In a paper presented at the occasion, Professor Kamluddeen Daudu said, the scope given to customary law by constitution is wider than that of Shari’a which is narrowed to personal law despite being a total way of Muslim life.
“Sharia is a complete way of life, encompassing all aspects of human life, the religious, social, legal, economic, political and intellectual spheres”.
“The Sharia upholds justice, fairness and tolerance and therefore application of its legal aspect to Muslim social life is considered mandatory”
He said, an absolute application of justice is only found in Shari’a legal system which is divine, he therefore pointed out that, allowing Muslim to practice full scale of Shari” a system up to supreme court will surely help in attainment of justice in Nigeria.
Professor Daudu added that, plan to prostrate Nigerian Muslim from enjoying full scale of Shari”a was hatched since free independence and as the country is about to embark on constitutional amendment. It is a duty bound upon all Muslim leaders to resist any provocation and smearing campaign to ensure Muslim freedom are protected by expanding the scope of Shari”a legal system in the constitution.
In his remarks at the occasion the emir of Dutse Dr Nuhu Muhammad Sunusi described the failure of family values as the main causes of moral decadent in the society.
The emir who was represented by Madakin Dutse Alhaji Tijjani Inuwa Dutse said, upholding Shari”a family values will help in inculcating fear of Allah in the minds of our youth and the general Umma.
“When there is fear of Allah in the minds of people surely they will not cheat, kill, take or give bribes, they will defiantly guided to be human, tolerant and peace loving”.
He then called on general Muslim ummah to support MULAN in its struggle to ensure the promotion of justice and freedom in Nigeria. Qur” an says “In the application of Justice there is peace”.