Rights activist and lawyer Chukwudi Ezeobika has raised serious questions about the enforcement of Sharia law in Northern Nigeria, warning that repeated actions by Islamic police may be undermining the constitutional freedoms of non-Muslims.
Ezeobika’s concerns were sparked by frequent Hisbah raids on alcoholic beverages legally traded and consumed by Christians and other non-Muslims in several northern states.
He questioned the assurances of Bauchi State’s traditional leader, Aminu Danmaliki, who recently insisted that Sharia law has no jurisdiction over non-Muslims.
“If Islamic law truly does not apply to Christians, why are goods belonging to them repeatedly seized and destroyed?” Ezeobika asked, highlighting what he described as a clear inconsistency between public statements and lived reality.
The activist went further, challenging the broader question of Nigeria’s secular status. “If Nigeria is truly a secular state, there is an urgent need for legislation that explicitly protects the rights of every citizen, regardless of religion or residence,” he said.
Danmaliki, speaking to journalists, defended Sharia as constitutionally recognised and historically influential, claiming it has no bearing on Christians and contributes to efficient justice and national unity. He dismissed criticisms as “misinformed” or politically motivated, noting that Nigeria’s legal system already accommodates common law, customary law, and Sharia.
But for Ezeobika, the actions of Hisbah tell a different story. Beyond legal semantics, raids have disrupted businesses, destroyed livelihoods, and created uncertainty for residents trying to operate within the law. “Selective enforcement erodes trust in the legal system and undermines the promise of equal protection under the constitution,” he said.
Legal scholars echo the concern, warning that without clear boundaries between religious enforcement and federal law, tensions could escalate and constitutional freedoms continue to be compromised.
The debate underscores a growing challenge for Northern states: balancing the administration of Sharia for Muslim communities with the rights and protections guaranteed to non-Muslims under Nigeria’s constitution. Ezeobika’s intervention signals the need for urgent legislative clarity before enforcement practices further inflame social and economic tensions.
Ezeobika Challenges Sharia Enforcement, raises issues on Non-Muslims’ Rights
