By Ayo Kehinde
An Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan has struck out a suit challenging the planned establishment of a Sharia Court in the state for want of diligent prosecution.
The suit, instituted by Prof. Awofala Awolola Awoniyi, was dismissed by Justice O.T. Ademola-Salami of Court 15, Ibadan Judicial Division, after the claimant failed to actively pursue the matter.
Listed as defendants in the case are Alhaji Tajudeen Abdulhammed Kamorise, Dr Rafiu Adisa Bello, Sulaimon Abdul-Ganiyabuqodi, Dr Abdul Mumeen Hamzat, Sheikh Abdul-Rasheed Adiya Tullahi, Mallam Nafi’u Baba-Hammed (for themselves and on behalf of the Supreme Council for Sharia in Nigeria, Oyo State Chapter), the Oyo State House of Assembly, and the Attorney-General of Oyo State.
In the originating summons, the claimant had asked the court to declare the planned inauguration and establishment of a Sharia Court in Oyo State, as well as an already constituted Sharia panel, unconstitutional, illegal, null and void in the absence of a state law backing it. He also sought an order restraining the defendants from setting up Sharia Courts in Oyo State and across the South-West.
At the hearing, counsel to the defendants urged the court to strike out the suit, arguing that the claimant had failed to prosecute the case diligently. After hearing submissions from the parties, Justice Ademola-Salami upheld the application.
In his ruling, Justice Ademola-Salami ordered that the suit be struck out for want of diligent prosecution.
A Certified True Copy (CTC) of the ruling indicated that the order, issued under the seal of the court, was dated November 25, 2025, and signed by the Principal Registrar of the Oyo State High Court, Ibadan.
