Sharī‘ah Debates and Constitutional Development in Nigeria
Date
2020-06
Authors
Adegoke, K.A.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand
Abstract
This study examines the Sharī‘ah debates and constitutional development in Nigeria. It briefly highlights the ongoing controversy and the history of the issue from the pre-colonial to post-colonial periods with the insight into various debates on the impact on various Nigerian constitutions since independence in 1960. The findings shows that all Nigerian constitutions have sufficient provisions to justify the constitutionality of Sharī‘ah. It also reveals that antagonism to the constitutionality of Sharī‘ah legal system has emanated from Islamophobia which is based on their perceived Islamisation of Nigeria. The study therefore recommends that adherents of other faiths should request the government to include their respective religious law into the constitution of the country, and that all confessional traditions should learn how to tolerate and accommodate one another in order to give room to national integration and restructuring.
Description
Keywords
Shari'ah, Constitutional Development, Debates, Nigeria, Islamisation
Citation
Adegoke, K.A. (2020), “ Sharī‘ah Debates and Constitutional Development in Nigeria”, in Waikato Islamic Studies Review, University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand, Vol. 6 (1), 33 - 45.