Exploratory Analysis of the Constitutionality of Sharia Law in Some Nigerian States

Nigeria has a federal system of government where political power is shared between the national and state governments. Nigeria returned to this system of governance on May 29, 1999 after sixteen years of military rule. In terms of religion, the country is uniquely split between Christians and Muslims. Christians are the majority in the south, while Muslims dominate the north. In 2000, Governor Sani of Zamfara State introduced an Islamic law popularly known as Sharia in his state. Eleven other northern states immediately followed suit. The northern states and the federal government were at strife on the constitutionality of an Islamic law. Using an exploratory case study method, the proposed paper will begin with an examination of the constitutionality of the Sharia law and its consequences on citizens where such law operates. This will be followed by an explication of reactions of Sharia states and federal government over the issue at stake. In sum, the manuscript will conclude with some policy implications of the imposition of the Sharia law in a few northern states in the country.