A socio-political organisation, the NDI Igbo Worldwide Union, has urged the Federal Government to resolve what it described as lingering constitutional uncertainty surrounding the operation of Sharia and common law within Nigeria’s legal framework.
In a statement released on Friday and jointly signed by its President, Benjamin Nwankwo, and Secretary, Charles Edemuzo, the group called on the Federal Government and the National Assembly to initiate a comprehensive review aimed at clearly defining how the country’s multiple legal systems function side by side.
The union argued that maintaining parallel legal codes without clear constitutional interpretation raises concerns about equal protection and national cohesion.
According to the statement, Nigeria must “provide unambiguous guidance” on the scope and limits of its legal systems to prevent confusion and strengthen public confidence in the rule of law.
The group stressed that its position is not confrontational but rooted in a desire for fairness and constitutional order.
“We are advocating lawful and peaceful engagement. Our demand is simple—clarity, equity, and full protection of citizens’ rights under the Constitution,” the statement noted.
The organisation also called on lawmakers to open broader consultations that could lead to constitutional amendments, if necessary, to address questions relating to legal uniformity and national unity.
While acknowledging Nigeria’s diverse religious and cultural composition, the union maintained that reforms must be pursued democratically, through dialogue and institutional processes that respect the country’s plural character.
Nigeria runs a plural legal system recognised under the 1999 Constitution, which accommodates common law, customary law, and Sharia law.
Sharia courts traditionally handle personal status matters such as marriage, inheritance, and family disputes among Muslims.
However, beginning in 1999, some northern states expanded Sharia to cover criminal jurisdiction.
Since then, legal scholars and civil society groups have continued to debate the constitutional implications of applying Sharia criminal law within a federal system that also guarantees fundamental human rights and equality before the law.
The union maintained that resolving the issue through constitutional clarity would promote stability, reinforce national unity, and strengthen public trust in Nigeria’s democratic institutions.