Despite controversies in Kano, Jigawa, Tambuwal extends Hisbah to Sokoto

Human rights activists have often argued that enforcement of Shari’ah law negates the secular nature of the Nigerian state.

ELFREDAH KEVIN-ALERECHI • February 22, 2021

Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Governor, Sokoto State (PHOTO CREDIT: Sokoto State Government)

Sokoto governor Aminu Tambuwal Monday signed a bill establishing the state’s Hisbah Board, Sokoto Tracker reports.

Last Thursday, the state House of Assembly passed a bill for the establishment of the state Hisbah Board.

Committee chairman Abubakar Yabo said the committee took the decision after consulting stakeholders.

Hisbah enforces the Shari’a law, and regularly arrests married people caught in hotels, presumably for sexual activities among other moral issues.

The Gazette last Tuesday reported that the Commander of Hisbah in Kano was caught by the police in a hotel for having sexual activities with a married woman.

In January 2021, Kano Hisbah advised parents to stop buying big phones for children. It also arrested 178 beggars in December for violating law against street begging, the Gazette reported.

In December 2020, the Kano Hisbah banned radio stations for using the word “black Friday”, saying the majority of residents in Kano are Muslims and Fridays are holy days in Islam.

Human rights activists have often criticised the implementation of the discriminatory law, saying it negates the secular nature of the Nigerian state.

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