A bill seeking to remove the limitation of Sharia law to personal matters in the Nigerian Constitution has been rejected by the House of Representatives.
The bill aimed to amend sections 24, 262, and 277 of the Constitution by removing the word “personal” from the application of Sharia law, which is currently confined to issues like marriage, inheritance, and other personal matters.
The sponsor of the bill, Aliyu Missau, argued that this amendment was necessary as commercial entities, such as Islamic banks like Jaiz and Taj Bank, face difficulties operating under the current legal framework.
Missau claimed the Constitution did not anticipate the emergence of these institutions.
However, many lawmakers opposed the bill, interpreting it as an attempt to expand the scope of Sharia law beyond personal issues.
Bamidele Salam, a lawmaker representing Osun State, expressed strong opposition, warning that the bill could undermine religious freedoms in Nigeria. He emphasized the need to avoid constitutional changes that might exacerbate divisions in the country.
Salam further noted that the concerns raised by Missau could be addressed through existing laws without altering the Constitution.
Awaji-Inombek Abiante echoed these concerns, cautioning that the bill posed significant risks and should be set aside.
On the other hand, several lawmakers from the northern region voiced support for the bill. Saidu Abdullah, Abdullah Ado, Ahmad Satomi, and others argued that the proposal was harmless and did not intend to overreach.
Despite this support, the opposition to the bill was overwhelming. When the Deputy Speaker, Ben Kalu, called for a vote, the majority of lawmakers responded with a resounding “nay,” leading to the rejection of the bill.
