President-General, Nigeria Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) and Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has expressed support for the establishment of an Independent Shariah Arbitration Panel in Ekiti and Oyo states.

But the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams, condemned the attempt to introduce Sharia in the South West, saying it is alien to Yoruba culture and religious beliefs.

The 20th Sultan of Sokoto and the spiritual leader of Nigeria’s Muslims also expressed concern about the spate of intolerance and disregard for the rights of Muslims, especially in the southern part of the country. He noted that Muslims in the South West had been denied their constitutional rights to a Shariah Court of Appeal.

In a statement, yesterday, by the Deputy National Legal Adviser of NSCIA, Haroun Eze, the traditional ruler lamented the unwarranted resistance and objections from political and traditional quarters to the Muslim community’s efforts to establish an Independent Shariah Arbitration Panel in Ekiti.

He said this was coming barely a few weeks after the announcement on the inauguration of a Shariah panel in Oyo generated “unnecessary anxiety, thereby leading to its indefinite postponement.

“The Independent Arbitration Panel, which is a voluntary platform designed solely for the resolution of civil and marital disputes among consenting Muslims, was to fill the inexplicable vacuum created by the failure of the political elite in the South West to establish Sharia courts, as allowed by the Nigerian Constitution, in South West, despite the huge population of Muslims in the region,” Sultan said.

According to the monarch, such scenarios as the denial of the rights of female students to wear the Hijab despite a Supreme Court judgment, are nothing but calculated attempts to prevent Muslims in the region from practising their faith.

Speaking during the 2025 Oodua festival at Enuwa Square, Ile-Ife, Osun State, yesterday, Adams stressed that the introduction of Sharia was to destabilise the Yoruba land by religious fanatics and fundamentalists. He emphasised that while Saudi Arabia is an Islamic kingdom where Sharia aligns with religious teachings and is widely accepted, Nigeria remains a nation where the constitution guarantees freedom of religion.

According to him, Saudi Arabia is a good example of an Islamic kingdom that practises Sharia law according to the Holy Quran. He said: “The Saudis also adhere strictly to the law, and they are happy because Sharia law is in tandem with their religious beliefs and teachings. But Nigeria is a secular nation where the constitution allows every citizen to practise whatever religion they believe in freely without any intimidation.

“Sharia law is alien to our culture and religious beliefs in Yoruba land; therefore, those religious fanatics masquerading as Muslims should stay away from acts that could set Yorubaland on fire.”

Meanwhile, berating the recent influx of Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP) in the South West, Adams called on the federal and state government to intensify efforts to tackle insecurity in the region. Adams further expressed the readiness of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) to partner other security groups in curbing the scourge in Yoruba land.

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The Sultan of Sokoto and the leadership of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) must clearly understand this position: the Yoruba people of South-West Nigeria do not need, want, or accept Sharia law as a governing system in their land.

Yoruba society is uniquely pluralistic. In most families across the South-West, Christians, Muslims, and traditional worshippers coexist peacefully under the same roof. This interwoven family structure is one of our greatest strengths. Introducing Sharia law into such a setting would place families on a collision course, fracture long-standing relationships, and undermine the shared values that have sustained our people for generations.

It is important to ask a fundamental question: Is it compulsory or by force that Muslims must live under Sharia law? Many Muslims across the world practice their faith peacefully without imposing religious law on diverse societies. Faith should be a personal conviction, not a political weapon.

Any attempt—direct or indirect—to Islamise the South-West against the will of its people will be firmly resisted through lawful and collective means, because the Yoruba are not a monolithic religious bloc. Our philosophies, cultures, and worldviews are distinct. We cherish family unity, tolerance, and mutual respect above religious extremism.

Let it be clearly stated: the Yoruba are not religious bigots, nor are we extremists. We are a civilized people who value progress, coexistence, and peace. We reject anything that may plunge our land into chaos, division, or bloodshed. Therefore, those advocating Sharia governance should restrict such ambitions to regions where it is openly accepted. The people of the South-West are not interested.

Nigeria is constitutionally a secular state, and the implementation of Sharia law as a state system directly contradicts the principles of secularism, equal citizenship, and fundamental human rights. If Nigeria intends to remain united, no religious legal system should be imposed on unwilling populations.

Furthermore, the practical outcomes of Sharia implementation in parts of Northern Nigeria raise serious concerns. These include:

Persistent insecurity and terrorism

Banditry and mass kidnapping

Ethnic and religious tensions

Widespread poverty and hunger

High levels of illiteracy

Deep social inequality and segregation

These realities cannot be ignored, and they offer no justification for exporting such a system to the South-West.

To our Muslim brothers and sisters in the OduduwaYorubaterritory: peaceful coexistence is our collective responsibility. We must not allow the mistakes and crises of other regions to destabilize our homeland. The Yoruba way has always been dialogue, tolerance, and mutual respect—and we intend to preserve it.

Leave the Oduduwa Yoruba land as it is. Let us live in peace.

Ire oooo.

Signed
Comrade Oyegunle Oluwamayowa Omotoyole (Omayor)
Oduduwa Nation Home-Based Youth Leader.

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PREMIUM TIMES has obtained exclusive details of arms, ammunition, vehicles and cash recovered from military officers and civilians suspected of plotting to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s government last year.

An inter-agency probe panel, constituted by the government and led by the Chief of Defence Intelligence, Emmanuel Undiandeye, a lieutenant general, has concluded its investigation into the failed coup attempt. Its findings revealed an elaborate scheme and persons involved in reconnaissance, funding, and propaganda operations.

Our sources confirmed that investigators recovered two gun trucks, anti-aircraft (AA) guns, PKT guns, RPG bombs, AK-47 rifles, ammunition and tactical gear from a lieutenant colonel attached to the army’s 130 Battalion.

In addition to the weapons and ammunition traced to the suspects, investigators seized four Toyota Hilux trucks, one Toyota Prado SUV, two Toyota saloon cars, and 32 Volkswagen Golf vehicles allegedly procured for covert operations.

Investigators found that the vehicles were acquired for movements to gather intelligence and enable discreet access to sensitive locations, including airports and other strategic facilities.

“The cars were used to move operatives around without attracting attention and to conduct reconnaissance activities linked to the plot,” one source said.

The investigation also identified retired Major General Adamu as one of the key figures connected to the network. He remains at large, alongside three other suspects.

Intelligence sources disclosed that one of the fleeing suspects was tracked to a country in Southern America, although his exact location remained undisclosed for security reasons.

Multiple security agencies are now working together to dismantle the remaining cells linked to the plot, with ongoing surveillance and cross-border intelligence coordination.

Our sources said authorities are awaiting presidential approval to formally announce a court-martial to try the soldiers involved.

PREMIUM TIMES had reported that 16 military officers were initially arrested for direct participation, but the constitution of a special investigative panel, led by General Undiandeye, later led to additional arrests.

“At least 25 military officers and personnel are expected to face trial in connection with the coup attempt,” one source familiar with the investigation said.

An unspecified number of civilians are currently in custody, being held and investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the State Security Service (SSS) for alleged roles in financing, logistics, and coordination.

Sylva, retired general, accused of bankrolling coup plot’

A former governor, Timipre Sylva, who served as Minister of State for Petroleum Resources under former President Muhammadu Buhari, has been accused of bankrolling the coup plotters and remains at large.

PREMIUM TIMES gathered that Mr Sylva allegedly transferred almost N1 billion in multiple tranches to three separate bank accounts operated by a Bureau De Change operator to fund the conspiracy.

The coup was initially scheduled for 29 May 2023, during the presidential inauguration, when power was handed over from Mr Buhari to Mr Tinubu. However, the plan was suspended due to insufficient funds and inadequate logistical arrangements, sources said.

The conspirators reactivated their plans in 2024 after raising some funds, investigators found.

In an earlier report, sources with direct knowledge of the investigation told PREMIUM TIMES that the plotters marked several top government officials for assassination, including President Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas.

Further investigation has now revealed that the conspirators also targeted the service chiefs and the Commander of the Guards Brigade for assassination.

“There are other people targeted, but those are the key targets,” one source said.

Some officers were assigned to seize control of the Presidential Villa, Niger Barracks, the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) Complex, and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.

The plotters also planned to detain senior military officers, including the service chiefs. “They did not want to kill them,” one source added.

According to multiple sources, the conspirators intended to assassinate the political leaders simultaneously.

“They were waiting for a day when all of them would be in the country,” one official said. “Wherever they were, they would be assassinated.”

The sources said the plotters relied on informants within the Presidential Villa and around the officials slated for elimination.

“They have people inside the Villa who monitor the movements of these officials,” one source said. “The plan was to kill them at the same time and install a military government.”

Coup investigation report transmitted

On Monday, the Defence Headquarters announced that the investigation had been completed and forwarded to “appropriate superior authority in line with extant regulations.”

The military disclosed that the findings identified “several officers with allegations of plotting to overthrow the government,” describing such conduct as “inconsistent with the ethics, values and professional standards required of members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.”

The suspects were captured in a covert intelligence operation coordinated by the Army Headquarters and the SSS.

Credits: PREMIUM TIMES

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