Sharia law returns to Zamfara

IWPR Nigeria

Thursday, 26 May, 2011

Sharia law returns to Zamfara

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Governor-elect of Zamfara state, Abdulazeez Abubakar Yari has promised to govern the state according to sharia Islamic law.

There has been controversy over the Islamic law since it was first introduced by former governor Sani Ahmed Yerima between 1999 and 2007.

The new governor’s pronouncement has also met with criticisms.

A lawyer, Bamidele Aturu, told the Nigerian Election News Report correspondent, that it is unconstitutional to govern a section of the country with religious laws.

But Yari explained that the restoration of sharia law will help the state win the war against social vices.

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