The Nigeria Supreme Council for Ecclesiastical Affairs (NSCEA) has escalated its opposition to the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN), issuing a detailed legal and constitutional argument declaring the body “illegal, unconstitutional, and incompatible with the Nigerian State.”
In an expanded press release, the Christian council anchored its position firmly on Section 10 of the 1999 Constitution, which establishes Nigeria as a secular state, and argued that no religious body can claim “supreme” national authority.
Constitutional Grounds Cited:
The NSCEA emphasized that while the constitution provides for Shari’ah Courts of Appeal at the state level (Sections 260–264), there is no provision for a national Shari’ah council. The group stated that the SCSN’s name and implied authority “directly contradicts Section 10” and constitutes an “ultra vires” overreach.
Institutional Duplication & Security Risk:
The statement highlighted that the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) is the only recognized national Islamic umbrella body. The creation of the SCSN, it argued, fosters unnecessary duplication, intra-faith division, and poses a “clear and present danger” in a nation already grappling with religious extremism and sectarian violence.
NSCEA’s Demands:
The council called on the Federal Government to:
1. Publicly clarify that the SCSN has no legal standing.
2. Direct the Corporate Affairs Commission and security agencies to review the group’s registration and activities.
3. Affirm the NSCIA as the sole nationally acknowledged Islamic consultative body.
The NSCEA concluded by urging all religious bodies to operate strictly under the supremacy of the constitution to protect Nigeria’s plural democracy.
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Disclaimer: This report is based on a press release from the Nigeria Supreme Council for Ecclesiastical Affairs. The legal interpretations and claims are those of the NSCEA. CDA News Nigeria has not independently verified the constitutional arguments presented.
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