The Muslim Lawyers’ Association of Nigeria (MULAN), Oyo State Branch, has announced its Annual Ramadan Lecture, scheduled for Sunday, March 9, 2025 (9th Ramadan 1446AH), at 9:30 AM. The event will take place at the Aare Afe Babalola Bar Centre, Iyaganku, Ibadan, bringing together legal experts, scholars, and government officials.
This year’s theme, Shariah Beyond the Criminal Justice System: Clarifying the Myths and Misconceptions Surrounding the Implementation of Shariah Law in Nigeria, aims to provide a broader understanding of Shariah law beyond its often-debated criminal justice aspects. Discussions will highlight its role in economic, family, and social justice systems, as well as its alignment with Nigeria’s legal framework.
The Guest Lecturer, Prof. Abdurrazaq Abdulmajeed Alaro of the Faculty of Law, University of Ilorin, will address the misconceptions surrounding Shariah law and explore its wider applications in governance, finance, and dispute resolution.
A panel session featuring distinguished legal and financial professionals will follow the lecture. Panellists include Hon. Justice Abdulraheem Ahmad Sayi, Khadi of the Sharia Court of Appeal, Kwara State; Hon. Justice Kareem A. Adedokun, Judge of the High Court of Oyo State; and Hajia Kafilat Araoye, Managing Director of Lotus Bank. The panel will examine key issues such as the role of Shariah in commercial and financial transactions, its impact on dispute resolution, and its place within Nigeria’s plural legal system.
The event will be attended by high-ranking figures from the judiciary, government, and traditional institutions. The Royal Father of the Day is Oba Abiodun Kola Daisi, the Asipa Olubadan of Ibadanland. The Chief Host is Hon. Justice I. S. Yerima, Chief Judge of Oyo State, while the Chairman of the Occasion is Prof. Musiliu Tayo Yahya, Executive Secretary of MUSWEN. The Special Guest of Honour is the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, H.E. Alhaji Abdulraheem Adebayo Lawal.
The MULAN Annual Ramadan Lecture has become a key platform for fostering dialogue on critical issues related to Islamic law, governance, and social justice. Given the frequent debates and misinterpretations surrounding Shariah law, this year’s lecture aims to clarify its role beyond criminal law, particularly in areas such as Islamic banking, inheritance, family law, and ethical governance.
According to Alhaji Akeem Agbaje, Chairman of the Ramadan Planning Committee, this year’s lecture will provide valuable insights for legal professionals, scholars, policymakers, and the general public. He emphasized the importance of such discussions in promoting understanding and peaceful coexistence within Nigeria’s diverse legal and cultural landscape.