JUDICIARY KILLING SHARIAH COURT OF APPEAL – MURIC

 

19^th August, 2023

PRESS RELEASE:

JUDICIARY KILLING SHARIAH COURT OF APPEAL – MURIC
   

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has accused the Nigerian judiciary of attempts to kill the Shariah Court of Appeal. The human rights body based the allegation on the failure of the judiciary to appoint qualified Shariah judges and compose the Shariah panel at the federal level.

The organization spoke on Saturday, 19th August, 2023 through its Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

He said:

"There are ominous signs that the Shariah Court of Appeal may fade away at the federal level very soon as no attempt is being made to compose its panel. The Constitution provides for a federal Shariah Court of Appeal made up of Shariah experts but at present there is only one Shariah specialist in the Court of Appeal.


"The former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Muhammad Tanko was the only Shariah expert in the whole Supreme Court and that lacuna has not been filled since he retired. It is also sad that none of the 20 judges recently recruited into the Court of Appeal is a Shariah specialist. Yet there are several Shariah lawyers willing to come on board but they have been ignored.


"MURIC frowns at this indifference of the authorities to the legal and religious yearning of more than 130 million Muslims across Nigeria. Our fear is that a deliberate attempt is being made to eliminate the Shariah Court of Appeal the same way that the Customary Court of Appeal was exterminated. This will negate the letter and spirit of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in which several sections expressly assert the constitutionality of the Shariah Court of Appeal.


"Exempli gratia, Section 260(1) says, 'There shall be a Shariah Court of Appeal at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. Section 260(2) describes the composition of the Shariah Court of Appeal. It explains that it shall be headed by the Grand Kadi of the FCT assisted by other kadis who shall be members.

"Also, Section 261(1) gives the president the power to appoint the Grand Kadi on the recommendation of the National Judicial Council subject to confirmation by Senate while Section 261(3)(a)(b)(i) and (ii) itemise the qualifications that the Grand Kadi must possess.


"Although Section 244 says that appeals from state Shariah Courts of Appeal will go to the federal Shariah Court of Appeal wing of the Supreme Court, cases from states like Kano, Jigawa, Niger, Kebbi, Sokoto, etc continue to pile up on Abuja due to the absence of a properly constituted Shariah Court of Appeal at the federal level. 


"MURIC calls for expedited action on the setting up of a Shariah Court of Appeal in Abuja in order to allay our fear of targeted diminishing influence of the Shariah.


"We call attention to the absence of state Shariah Courts of Appeal in the whole of Southern Nigeria despite the existence of large Muslim population in states like Oyo, Osun, Ogun and Lagos.


"Finally, we remind the authorities in the Southern states that Section 275 of the Constitution stipulates that 'There shall be for any state that requires it a Shariah Court of Appeal for that state'. Failure to allow Muslims in the region to enjoy this constitutional provision diminishes compliance with democratic principles. It also constitutes a major minus in good governance indices because there can be no good governance without inclusivity."

 

#GiveUsShariahCourtOfAppeal

#NoShariahNoGoodGovernance

#NoShariahNoDemocracy

 

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola, 

Executive Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).

 

FREE BAWA OR CHARGE HIM TO COURT - MURIC

 

17^th August, 2023

PRESS RELEASE:

FREE BAWA OR CHARGE HIM TO COURT - MURIC

 

 An Islamic human rights organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has called on men of the Department of State Services (DSS) to set the former boss of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), AbdulRasheed Bawa free or charge him to court. 

 

 

Making the call on Thursday, 17th August, 2023 was the Executive Director of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), Professor Ishaq Akintola. 

 

The full statement reads:

 

“Abdul Rasheed Bawa, former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has been in detention since 14th June, 2023 without any explanation whatsoever. 

 

 

"This is contrary to the letter and spirit of Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which guarantees fair hearing in compliance with the judicial principle of audi alterem partem (i.e. hear from both sides to a case before taking a decision). Nigerians are yet to hear from the former EFCC boss. Neither have they heard from his lawyers.

 

 

“There should be no detention without trial in a democracy. It stands in contra distinction to Section 41 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which says inter alia, ‘Every citizen of Nigeria is entitled to move freely throughout Nigeria and to reside in any part thereof…’.

 

 

“Article 7(b) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights also stipulates the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty by a competent court or tribunal. To that extent, therefore, it must be assumed that Bawa is innocent.

 

 

“MURIC demands that he should be set free or brought to court where his charges will be read to him. He should also be allowed to see his lawyer, his personal doctor and key members of his family.

 

 

"If Godwin Emefiele who traumatized all Nigerians for months could be arraigned in court twice since his arrest, we wonder what special crime Bawa committed to have warranted his indefinite detention. Could it be because the former CBN governor has access to a bottomless pit of foreign and local currencies and he could therefore engage the best lawyers in the land while Bawa, a young aspiring Nigerian cannot afford lawyers' huge fees?

 

 

“MURIC therefore demands the enforcement of Allah-given fundamental human rights of AbdulRasheed Bawa. He should be set free or arraigned before a court of competent jurisdiction where he can be granted bail. 

 

 

“Our vision of Nigeria is that of a land where every man or woman is free from institutional, societal and individual coercion, a land where tyranny, oppression, injustice as well as political and socio-economic marginalization become history.”

 

#FreeBawaNow

 

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Executive Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

 

REP PANEL ON JAMB : ESCHEW EMOTIONS, SCAPEGOATISM – MURIC

 

16^th August, 2023

PRESS RELEASE:

REP PANEL ON JAMB : ESCHEW EMOTIONS, SCAPEGOATISM – MURIC    

   

A faith-based human rights advocacy group, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has advised the panel of the House of Representatives currently investigating the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to eschew sentiment and scapegoatism throughout the exercise. JAMB is being investigated for recruiting 300 staff without advertisement.

 

 

The advice was given on Wednesday, 16^th August, 2023 by the Executive Director of the human rights group, Professor Ishaq Akintola, while commenting on the investigation.

 

He said :

 

“An ad hoc committee of the House of Representatives is currently investigating the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) for recruiting 300 staff without advertisement.

 

“We are aware of a Federal Government circular reference number 58775/II/T/358 of 11^th July 2017, titled: “Streamlining procedures for recruitment into federal agencies” which made new guidelines for recruitment to permit the replacement of vacancies at the discretion of MDAs. We are also not unaware of the 2021 guideline issued by the Federal Character Commission which made newspaper advertisement of job vacancies mandatory.

 

 

“However, we call attention to the nature of JAMB’s work which necessitates constant recourse to manpower even at the shortest notice. This makes the 2017 waiver given by the Federal Government sine qua non in the operations of the national examination body.

 

 

“There is no gainsaying the fact that JAMB has set high standard in transparency, probity and accountability over the years. The motive behind the waiver for the unadvertised recruitment should therefore be clearly understood as far from being sinister.

 

 

“The panel should therefore watch out for overzealousness, emotional manifestations and scapegoatism. There is the likelihood of merchants of the popular ‘pull-him-down’ (PhD) syndrome whose only interest is to rubbish the saint no matter the facts made available as well as black descendants of the merchant of Venice with eyes on their pound of flesh. Nigerians are watching.”

 

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Executive Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

 

COMMISSIONERS LIST: MURIC ACCUSES CAN OF HYPOCRISY

 

15^th August, 2023

PRESS RELEASE:

COMMISSIONERS LIST: MURIC ACCUSES CAN OF HYPOCRISY

   

Following a press conference addressed by the chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Lagos State chapter, Rev. Stephen Adegbite, in which he supported the lopsided list of commissioners submitted by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has accused Lagos CAN of hypocrisy. MURIC asked if Lagos CAN could have acted the same way if it was Muslims who had 31 commissioners while Christians had 8 only. 

 

 

MURIC's position was disclosed in a statement issued on Tuesday, 15th August, 2023 by its Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

 

The statement reads : 

 

"The chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Lagos State chapter, Rev, Stephen Adegbite, addressed a press conference yesterday, Monday, 14th August, 2023. In his speech, the CAN state chairman rationalised the lopsided list of commissioners submitted by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu where Muslims were given a meager 8 slots only while Christians have a whopping 31 slots (https://punchng.com/lagos-can-defends-sanwo-olus-commissioner-nominees/). 

 

 

"Our response to his vituperations and irrational position is very simple. Governor Sanwo-Olu supported the Muslim-Muslim ticket not because he was convinced that it was democratic and therefore right, not even because he was fully in support of a Muslim ruling the country, but because he had no choice than to support his principal and political godfather. 

 

 

"Failure to do so would have endangered his chances of securing a second term. Sanwo-Olu's perceived support for the Muslim-Muslim ticket was therefore a self-preservation move. It was not from the governor’s heart but from his pharyngeal cavity. 

 

 

"It was therefore most inconsiderate and very selfish for Lagos CAN chairman to base his rationalisation of the ratio 31:8 of Lagos commissioners' list on Sanwo-Olu's support for the Muslim-Muslim ticket. They are two incompatible situations for the following reasons. 

 

 

"Firstly, one occurred at the federal level, the other at state level. Secondly, one was through a democratic and electoral process, the other was by appointment. Thirdly, one was Jean Jacques Rousseau's General Will executed by the Nigerian electorate, the other was the totalitarian whim and caprice of a pentecostal governor. Fourthly, one was constitutional, the other a flagrant violation of Section 14:4 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. 

 

 

"But the hypocrisy of the Lagos CAN chairman will become more glaring if he can agree that he will accept the same arrangement if vice versa, i.e. if Muslims are given 31 slots while Christians get 8 only come 2027 when it will be the turn of Muslims to occupy Alausa secretariat.

 

 

“Will CAN accept that from a Muslim governor in 2027? No, CAN cannot. The press conference held yesterday by CAN Lagos chairman must therefore be reduced to sheer hocus pocus and the height of hypocrisy. Could Lagos CAN have acted the same way if it was Muslims who had 31 commissioners while Christians had 8 only?

 

 

"Christians are offering Muslims what they can never accept. The next gubernatorial slot is for Muslims in the spirit of 'awa lokan' and all eyes are on Lagos come 2027. The fact that Lagos CAN chairman admitted the lopsided 31:8 ratio shows that it was deliberate and the cooking took place in CAN's kitchen before the governor used his teeth to share the meat. It is the voice of Jacob, the hand of Esau. This lopsided list came from Lagos CAN.

 

 

“But it is public knowledge that Lagos Muslims campaigned for Sanwo-Olu and voted massively for him. Although MURIC wanted a Muslim governor ab initio, we later advised Muslims to vote for Sanwo-Olu after seeing that he supported President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. We knew that it was necessary for Lagos to be in the hands of the ruling party for Tinubu’s administration to be successful. Our sacrifice was therefore for Tinubu, a Muslim presidential candidate at the time, not for Sanwo-Olu per se.

 

 

“It must be mentioned that Sanwo-Olu came to Lagos Muslims twice to canvass for votes. Well, after publicly dragging Lagos Muslims on the floor, after using Lagos Muslims and dumping them, we are waiting to see if and when Sanwo-Olu will need Lagos Muslims again during his tenure. The die is cast, unless Sanwo-Olu reviews his Christian-dominated list."

 

#RejectLagosChristianList

#SanwoOluUserDumper

 

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Executive Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

 

MURIC HAILS MILITARY FOR REBUFFING COUP ZEALOTS, CALLS FOR ARREST, PROSECUTION OF INSTIGATORS

 

14^th August, 2023

PRESS RELEASE:

MURIC HAILS MILITARY FOR REBUFFING COUP ZEALOTS, CALLS FOR ARREST, PROSECUTION OF INSTIGATORS

   

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has commended the Nigerian Army for refusing to succumb to the instigation of coup zealots. The group also asked the army to expose, arrest and prosecute those inciting the army to topple President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.         

 

 

This was revealed in a statement issued on Monday, 14^th August, 2023 by the Executive Director of MURIC, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

 

He said :

 

“The Nigerian Army revealed two days ago that certain persons have been goading the military to topple President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government. It further revealed that the reasons given were welfare of soldiers and the recent coup in Niger. However, the army said it rebuffed the instigation and reaffirmed its loyalty to the democractically elected government (https://www.thegeniusmedia.com.ng/2023/08/12/breaking-nigerian-military-confirms-getting-requests-to-overthrow-president-bola-tinubu/).

 

 

“We of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) hereby commend the officers and men of the Nigerian Army for refusing to succumb to the instigation of coup zealots. We urge the military to expose, arrest and prosecute those inciting it to topple the legitimate administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.  

 

 

“We remind Nigerians of the advantages of civilian rule where free speech, the rule of law, respect for human rights and the promotion of human dignity are the norm. On the contrary, dictatorship, authoritarianism and brute force are the major characteristics of military rule.

 

 

“Military rule will rob Nigerians of their freedom and dehumanize them. Nobody elects soldiers who seize power. There will be no senate or house of representatives under military rule. Every military regime is an imposition against the will of the people.

 

 

“Military rule is legalized tyranny. The army will not stomach criticism. Neither is there probity and accountability in a military regime. The worst civilian government is therefore better than the best military junta. Coup is therefore an ill wind that will blow nobody any good.

 

 

“Military rule has become paleolithic while soldiers who seize political power are not better than gangsters out to rob innocent and hardworking citizens of all the milk and honey in the land. Those who are instigating military takeover are therefore ignoramuses and the greatest enemies of the Nigerian people. They should be exposed, arrested and prosecuted.”

 

#NoToCoup

 

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Executive Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

 

EL-RUFAI: MURIC TELLS TINUBU TO SAVE NORTH-WEST ALLIANCE

 

13^th August, 2023

PRESS RELEASE:

EL-RUFAI: MURIC TELLS TINUBU TO SAVE NORTH-WEST ALLIANCE

   

As the failure of Senate to confirm the ministerial nomination of the former governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, continues to generate controversy, an Islamic human rights organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has told President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to save the North-West alliance which gave him victory at the polls by ensuring that El-Rufai gets the ministerial appointment.

 

 

MURIC made its stand known on Sunday, 13th August, 2023 after an emergency meeting of its Central Think Tank (CTT) held in the evening of the previous day. A statement signed by the Executive Director of MURIC, Professor Ishaq Akintola, after the meeting reads: 

 

 

"The Central Think Tank (CTT) of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) met yesterday to consider the circumstances surrounding the failure of Senate to confirm the nomination of the former governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, as a minister. 

 

 

"CTT considered the issue a major setback to the North-West alliance which gave President Bola Ahmed Tinubu victory during the 2023 presidential election. Furthermore, CTT regards the non-confirmation of Mallam Nasir El-Rufai's ministerial nomination as a big threat to future alliance between the North and the South-West. The North may not hobnob with the South-West again if the champion of the North-South alliance is shabbily treated.  

 

 

"CTT also noted the huge contribution of Mallam Nasir El-Rufai who persuaded the Northern political elite, particularly the twelve Northern governors, to allow power to go to the South. It was observed that the monumental power shift of 2023 was a fulfilment of a 2019 agreement. It was therefore an act of honour while El-Rufai is seen as the icon of Northern integrity. 

 

 

"CTT affirms clearly, emphatically and unequivocally that it behoves the South as represented by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reciprocate the North's noble stand by walking his talk, particularly his open offer and public invitation to Mallam El-Rufai to join his cabinet. The story of Tinubu’s invitation to El-Rufai to join his cabinet is already public knowledge.

 

 

"It has become necessary to jog the President's medulla oblongata today because the North has exhibited integrity by keeping its promise on power shift to the South. It therefore behoves the South to reciprocate, to manifest decorum, decency and dignity, particularly with the 'Omoluabi virtue' for which the Yoruba are well known.

 

"Tinubu has a duty to protect the good name of the Yoruba people in particular and the whole South in general. Besides, a promise is a promise in Islam and Tinubu is a Muslim. Allah says in the Glorious Qur’an ‘And fulfill the promise, surely (every) promise shall be questioned about.’ (Qur’an 17:34). Allah also said, ‘O you who believe! Fulfill your pledges.’ (Qur’an 5:1).

 

 

“The good relationship and the bond between the North and the South-West must not be allowed to break. 2027 is around the corner. Even 2031 is already knocking and politicians are already doing their calculations. The North supported Tinubu because they found him to be credible. He must not do anything capable of diminishing that credibility.

 

 

"El-Rufai is the gem of the collection and everybody knows it. He is a performer. He is cerebral, iconic. If it is true that the president himself already hinted El-Rufai to set the machinery in motion for the energy sector, the president is morally bound to walk his talk regardless of all other encumberances. 

 

 

"Records show that there are precedents. Festus Keyamo was cleared in spite of Senate's earlier objection. Something made Senate change its mind. Ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo got this same El-Rufai cleared despite Senate's opposition in 2004. El-Rufai withdrew having read between the lines. He will still do it for the sake of Nigeria if the president’s body language conforms.

 

 

"Criminality, dishonesty, fraud, impunity, lack of patriotism and other Nigerian problems spring from a wrong mindset. They will all disappear or at least be reduced to the barest minimum if the leadership sets the pace. Islamic scholars North and South who nurtured the North-South alliance are watching. All men and women of conscience are keeping vigil. Nigeria holds its breath and shivers. The buck stops at Mr. President's table."

 

#GiveUsElRufai

 

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Executive Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)