The establishment of Shariah arbitration panels in the six  South West states has been demanded by the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC). MURIC asserted that the committees would serve as advisory bodies.The group claims that the courts are powerless to enforce its decisions or issue punishments.

In a conversation with reporters on Wednesday, Professor Ishaq Akintola, the Executive Director of MURIC, made this claim.

Akintola clarified that the panels do not have jurisdiction over criminal matters and are only there to arbitrate civil disputes that Muslims willingly submit to them. “Only civil matters are handled by the Shariah committees. They have no enforcement authority and are unable to handle criminal charges. According to Akintola, their choices are entirely optional and non-binding. He emphasized the panels’ optional nature by comparing them to committees frequently seen in religious organizations.

There are committees for planning, logistics, and money in churches. These committees are unable to penalize members or demand donations. The Shariah panels are also voluntary and advisory, he clarified. The panels provide a forum for Muslims to settle civil problems amicably within the framework of Islamic principles and are active in the states of Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, and Ekiti.