Nigeria: Whether Islamic law (Sharia) is applicable in Edo State; whether there are Sharia courts in Edo state; if so, information on the types of issues that are brought before the Sharia courts as well as on who enforces decisions rendered by the Sharia courts
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 September 2010 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Nigeria: Whether Islamic law (Sharia) is applicable in Edo State; whether there are Sharia courts in Edo state; if so, information on the types of issues that are brought before the Sharia courts as well as on who enforces decisions rendered by the Sharia courts, 1 September 2010, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/4e4a22062.html [accessed 3 November 2019] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
A lawyer based in the United States (US), who formerly practised law in the US, taught at the University of Iowa, taught law at the University of Jos, Nigeria and who has written extensively on the implementation of Sharia in Nigeria, stated in 28 August 2010 correspondence with the Research Directorate that Sharia is not applicable in Edo State and that there are no Sharia courts there. In 27 August 2010 correspondence with the Research Directorate, a senior partner in a Nigerian law firm who has served as defence council in numerous Sharia-related cases in Nigeria corroborated that Sharia is not applicable in Edo State, to the best of her knowledge. Similarly, in 26 August 2010 correspondence with the Research Directorate, a professor of sociology at the University of California (UC), who has written numerous articles on Islam, including on Sharia in Nigeria, also stated that Sharia does not apply in Edo State. However, the UC Professor also stated the following:
Muslims could, in theory at least, choose to exercise their customary law rights over family and personal affairs by consulting with a legal scholar in Edo State and registering a will or a contract according to Shari`a law. (26 Aug. 2010)
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
Lawyer. 28 August 2010. Correspondence.
Senior Partner, Aires Law Firm. 27 August 2010. Correspondence.
Professor of Sociology, University of California (UC). 26 August 2010. Correspondence.
Additional Sources Consulted
Oral sources: Researchers from George Mason University (GMU) and Emory University were unable to provide information for this Response.
Internet sites, including: AllAfrica.com, Amnesty International (AI), British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Carnagie Council, Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), Edo State, Freedom House, Government of Nigeria, Harvard University, Human Rights Watch, International Crisis Group, New York University, Reporters without Borders (RSF), United States (US) Department of State, The Washington Post.
