SHARIA IMPLEMENTATION IN NIGERIA: ISSUES AND CHALLENGES

Joy Ngozi Ezeilo, Muhammed Tawfiq Ladan & Abiola Afolabi-Akiyode (eds.):
Sharia Implementation in Nigeria. Issues & Challenges on Women's Rights and Access to Justice.
Enugu: Women's Aid Collective (WACOL) / Lagos: Women's Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC) 2003.
ISBN 978-36242-4-5. (xxxv+278 pp.)
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Since the introduction of Sharia criminal law (or its re-introduction, as many see it) in large parts of Northern Nigeria since the year 2000, intense efforts are being made to deal with the human rights implications of the Islamic judicial system. This book has emerged from a conference held in Abuja in February 2003 that brought together experts for Public and Islamic Law and representatives of NGOs working for human and women's rights.
This book does not only provide thorough insights into the on-going debate about Sharia within Nigeria. It also, and primarily, shows a variety of concrete options to achieve improved access to justice within the framework of the Sharia judicial system. One line of action, generally agreed upon by legal specialists, is to apply the strict procedural rules required by Sharia law. The book provides numerous examples of these rules. Another option is to take into account the current socio-economic conditions and widespread poverty; these are factors which, as many scholarsis argue, have to put restrictions on the full-scale applicability of the law itself.
With both academic depth and practical orientation (including indices to statutes and cases quoted), this book is the first of its kind and provides essential resource material for scholars, lawyers, and activists alike.

Preface to Second Edition (December 2004):
Women's Human Rights under Shari'a: Update on Recent Debates and Publications

TABLE OF CONTENTS

THEME 1: Setting the Scene for the Conference

Welcome Address
Joy Ngozi Ezeilo

First Keynote Address by
Prof. M. Tabiu

Second Keynote Address by
Hon. Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad

THEME 2: Women’s Human Rights in the Administration of Justice

Women’s Rights, Access to and Administration of Justice under the Shari’a in Nigeria
M. T. Ladan

Improving Women’s Access to Justice and the Quality of Administration of Islamic Justice in Nigeria
A. A. Oba

Islamic Law and Women’s Rights: Sudan Experience as a Model
A.H. Abdelsalam

Towards a Cross-cultural Approach to Women’s Human Rights
Joy Ngozi Ezeilo

THEME 3: Implementation of Shari’a Penal Law and Justice System in a Constitutional Democracy

Assessing the Performance of Lower Courts in the Implementation of Shari’a Penal Law and Justice System in Northern Nigeria
B. Babaji & Y. Dankofa

Application of the Shari’a Penal Law and Justice System in Northern Nigeria: Constitutional Issues and Implications
B.Y. Ibrahim

The Application of the Shari’a Penal System: Constitutional and other Related Issues
B.A. Haruna

Administration of Islamic Criminal Law and Justice in a Constitutional Democracy: Problems and Prospects
A. B. Ahmed

Protecting the Rights of Accused Persons through the Proper Implementation of the Shari’a Procedural Guarantees in Northern Nigeria
M.B. Uthman

THEME 4: Perspectives on the Application of Shari’a in Nigeria

Improving the Quality of Life of Muslims through the Implementation of Socio-Economic Aspects of Shari’a in Nigeria
S.U.D. Keffi

Re-introduction of Shari’a Courts in Nigeria: Some Perspectives
A. Zubair

An Overview of the Application of Shari’a in Nigeria
A. Orire

Annexure
1. Working Groups Report
2. Conference Communique
3. List of Participants

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Preface to Second Edition (December 2004):
Women's Human Rights under Shari'a: Update on Recent Debates and Publications