The Yoruba Council Worldwide (YCW), an organization representing Yoruba people globally, has expressed strong opposition to the upcoming inauguration of a Sharia Court in Oyo Town, Oyo State. The event, organized by the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN), is scheduled for January 11, 2025, at the Muslim Community Islamic Centre in the Mobolaje area.
In a statement signed by YCW president Aare Oladotun Hassan Esq and national publicity secretary Bashorun Isaac Aderemi Ajibola, the council condemned the plan as a violation of Nigerian laws and a threat to the cultural heritage and ancestral rights of the Yoruba people.
The YCW highlighted that Yoruba land is characterized by its multicultural and multi-religious makeup, firmly rejecting any attempts to impose Sharia law or establish Sharia courts in the region. They warned that the inauguration could disturb the peaceful coexistence of various communities and provoke ethno-religious tensions.
Referencing historical resistance to Islamic invasions during the old Oyo Empire, the council reiterated its commitment to defending Yoruba territory against any form of destabilization. They also raised concerns over human rights abuses associated with Sharia law in Northern Nigeria, citing harsh penalties for minor offenses.
The YCW is demanding the immediate cancellation of the event and has called on prominent Yoruba leaders, including the Ooni of Ife and President Bola Tinubu, to intervene. The organization urged security agencies to take action to prevent the inauguration and expressed their readiness to resist through legal and peaceful means.
In their statement, the YCW declared, “We don’t want Sharia law or Sharia courts in Oyo State or any part of Yoruba land. Any attempt to introduce alien laws will be met with fierce and logical resistance.” They emphasized the need to protect the distinct culture and traditions of the Yoruba people, warning against potential ethno-religious conflict.
The council has placed security agencies on alert, urging them to act against what they described as an impending “provocative evil menace.”
