Insecurity: Reintegration of criminals against Sharia – Cleric

From Lateef Dada, Osogbo

An Islamic cleric, Dr. Abdulateef Abdulhakeem, has condemned the pardon and reintegration of criminals into the society, positing that it is against Sharia of Islam.

Speaking as a guest lecturer at the 20th anniversary of Osun State Independent Shari’ah Panel in Osogbo, yesterday, the cleric noted that governors refused to support Sharia because some of the prerogatives are injustice in the face of Shari’a.

He maintained that only Shari’a establishes justice because it will not support reintegration of criminals into the society.

“Sharia is to establish justice. Islam does not support the “prerogative of injustice” whereby a killer will be released because of closeness to authority.

“Nigerians will not want Sharia to stand because it does not support mercy for criminals or reintegration of criminals back into society,” he said.

He urged governments at all levels to govern according to the Constitution and allow Muslims to enjoy section 275 of the Constitution which allows every state to have a Sharia court.

“In Islam, we are not asking for any additional thing from the government. We are just asking the government to govern according to the constitution. The constitution already has it in section 275. So, any state that wants it should get Sharia court. Even if there is a single Muslim in that state. His right must be protected. His freedom of expression, religion, personal liberty and freedom of association must be guaranteed by the government by ensuring that an institution that has been established to regulate such thing exists

“If there is a Sharia Court, it will regulate the excesses of Muslims. Government can go as far as empowering it to regulate the excesses of the criminal tendencies among, even those who call themselves religious adherents, because no religion permits the killing of others.

“Some people have taken it for granted because there is no regulatory authority. So, in the name of Islam, you cannot kill because it has been prohibited in the Quran. You cannot terrorise.

“All this inhumanity to man is continuing simply because the government has not formally established institutions to test people of that faith based on the constitutional provision which has been put in place.

“The Sharia court is just about checking the excesses of Muslims. It is not compulsory on the Christian. The regular court is there for everybody. In Islam, the Sharia court will check the excesses of Muslims,” he said.