The newly inaugurated Independent Shari’ah Arbitration Panel in Ekiti State held its first public sitting in Ado-Ekiti, focusing on providing arbitration based on Islamic jurisprudence. The panel, led by three Kadhis—Imam Abdullahi Abdul-Mutolib, Imam Abdulraheem Junaid-Bamigbola, and Dr. Ibrahim Aminullahi-Ogunrinde—resolved two marriage-related disputes in its debut session.
In the first case, the panel successfully facilitated a consent judgment between a couple, aided by the intervention of their families, resulting in a peaceful settlement. However, the second case, involving a wife’s accusations of neglect by her husband, was adjourned to January 30 for further investigation. This adjournment aims to ensure a fair and just resolution after additional inquiries into the allegations.
Imam Abdul-Mutolib highlighted the importance of adhering to Islamic teachings in marriage, urging both spouses to be mindful of their duties and responsibilities, with particular emphasis on the wife’s duty of submission and contentment in her marriage.
The panel, formally inaugurated by the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in October 2024, was established to provide an alternative, Islamic-based platform for dispute resolution. The President of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Hammed Bakare, emphasized that participation in Shari’ah adjudication is entirely voluntary. While it is primarily aimed at Muslims, non-Muslims may also choose to participate if they wish.
This initiative aims to provide a more culturally and religiously sensitive means of resolving disputes within the Muslim community in Ekiti State, reinforcing the importance of Islamic principles in fostering peaceful resolutions
