4th June, 2017
Prof. Abdulwahab Egbewole of the University of Ilorin, on Sunday, advised Muslim lawyers to educate and assist Muslims on their fundamental rights.
Egbewole gave the advice in Ibadan at the 20th Annual Ramadan Lecture organised by Muslim Lawyers’ Association of Nigeria (MULAN), Oyo State.
The university don, who presented a lecture entitled `Fundamental Human Rights in Nigeria: A Myth or Reality’ stated that Muslims needed to be educated on the three generations of rights provided by law.
He explained that such rights include the right of Muslims to practice their religion in line with Section 38 of the 1999 Constitution.
“This right as guaranteed by the constitution could only be achieved through the principles of Islamic Law.’’
Egbewole said that Islamic law was a complete way of life that regulates the affairs of Muslims.
He explained that the fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution were rooted in Islam, adding that the prescriptions of Islam are more comprehensive.
“This means that Muslims can realise their right to freedom of religion using the same constitutional provisions.
“Muslims have not engaged the law enough to the extent of realising fully their guaranteed rights,” he said.
Egbewole, who is the Director, General Studies of the University, noted that recent wranglings over the use of hijab by Muslims was unnecessary as it did not infringe on other’s rights.
The university don stressed that Muslims in the legal profession must make available their expertise for Muslims to enjoy the rights available to them.
He said that they needed to engage more in pro bono services for the purpose of making fundamental rights truly available to Nigerian Muslims.
“Muslims should agitate for their rights through dialogue,” he added.
Similarly, Mr Adebayo Shittu, Minister of Communications urged Muslims to seek more knowledge on the practice of the religion.
He also urged Muslim lawyers to support Muslims in pursuing their fundamental rights, adding the Constitution of Nigeria guaranteed rights of individuals to practice their religion.
Shittu, a special guest at the event, called on Nigerian youths to key into the N-Power scheme of the federal government, which he said would soon engage another 300,000 graduates.
Mr Lasun Sanusi, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, said Muslims must move away from constant complaints and commit themselves to practising the religion holistically.
Sanusi identified poverty and ignorance as factors affecting people’s understanding of their rights.
Earlier, Mr Akeem Adetunji, the Chairman, MULAN, Oyo State Chapter stated that the association had in the last one year engaged actively in its Da’awah project.
Adetunji said that the association had provided free legal services to the needy during the period.
He said that the title of the lecture was carefully chosen to provide a platform for people to learn more on the topic.
The event was attended by notable Judges, Magistrates, Lawyers and hosts of others.