Rasheeda Yahaya
By Ahmed Ahmed
President of the Bauchi Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (BACCIMA), Hon. Aminu Mohammed Danmaliki, Danmaliki Bauchi, has strongly criticised recent calls for the abolition of Shariah law in Nigeria, describing them as misleading, divisive, and disconnected from constitutional realities.
The reaction follows a presentation by Dr. Ebenezer Obadare, Senior Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, who urged U.S. lawmakers to pressure Nigeria into scrapping Shariah criminal law and disbanding the Hisbah religious-police groups.
Obadare alleged that the structures, in operation since 2000, have enabled extremist abuses and provided ideological cover for jihadist groups, including Boko Haram and ISWAP.
Addressing journalists in Bauchi on Sunday, Danmaliki said such claims recycle long-debunked narratives often used to stoke religious tension.
He accused some Nigerian Christian activists of attempting to misrepresent Shariah before the U.S. Congress, warning that such moves could reopen old divisions rooted in fear and political interests.
Speaking “on behalf of Muslims in Nigeria,” Danmaliki noted that the majority of Muslims view the campaign as a deliberate attempt to stir conflict between religious communities, similar to past allegations of “Christian genocide” that were later dismissed by the international community.
He emphasized that Shariah is a constitutional right for Nigerian Muslims and does not affect non-Muslims, who neither stand trial under its provisions nor are compelled to appear before its courts.
On the contrary, he revealed that many Christians voluntarily bring civil cases before Shariah courts because they are perceived to be faster, clearer, and more transparent.
Danmaliki stressed that historically, Shariah is a humane, rights-based legal system that has influenced global legal traditions.
He referenced the works of scholars such as John Makdisi, who traced elements of English common law including contract enforcement, property recovery, and even the jury system to Islamic legal principles.
He further noted that early American institutions, including the U.S. Supreme Court and Congress, recognised aspects of Islamic law as rational and protective of civil rights.
He explained that in Nigeria, Shariah coexists alongside common law and customary law, forming part of the nation’s multicultural legal structure.
Its core values justice, due process, equity, protection of life and property, and checks on power have shaped legal thought across civilizations.
Danmaliki argued that criticisms of Shariah are often rooted in Western stereotypes and political fears rather than factual history. He urged Nigerian scholars, leaders, and the media to correct such misconceptions.
“Shariah is neither backward nor unconstitutional. It is a respected global legal tradition and a constitutional right for Muslims,” he stated.
“A system once admired by medieval England and acknowledged by early American jurists cannot suddenly be deemed unfit for Nigerian Muslims.”
He concluded that Nigeria thrives when all communities freely practice their faith and the nation’s diverse legal systems work in harmony to uphold justice, dignity, and stability.
