The Nigeria Supreme Council for Ecclesiastical Affairs (NSCEA) has issued a strong statement declaring the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN) illegal and unconstitutional, calling on the government to investigate and dissolve the body.
In a press release signed by Bishop Professor Funmilayo Adesanya-Davies, the NSCEA argued that the SCSN is a “redundant, divisive, and dangerous” parallel structure to the already recognized Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA).
Key Arguments Presented:
· The SCSN has no constitutional basis and implies a religious authority incompatible with Nigeria’s secular state.
· It poses a threat to national unity and risks inciting intra-religious and inter-religious conflict.
· Its existence could undermine public order and national security, especially amid existing religious tensions.
NSCEA’s Demands:
The Christian body urged relevant government agencies—including the Corporate Affairs Commission and the Federal Ministry of Justice—to immediately investigate the SCSN’s registration, funding, and activities, and to publicly clarify that it has no legal standing.
The statement emphasized that Nigeria’s Constitution (Section 10) enshrines the country as a secular state, and no religious body should operate outside established legal frameworks.
Call for Harmony:
The NSCEA called on all religious leaders to promote unity and respect for Nigeria’s plural democracy, warning against structures that foster division or claim supremacy.
As of now, there has been no public response from the SCSN or government authorities regarding these demands.
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Disclaimer: This article is based on a press release from the Nigeria Supreme Council for Ecclesiastical Affairs. CDA News Nigeria has not independently verified the claims or legal assertions made.
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