Abstract
In 2000, Governor Sani Ahmed of Zamfara State introduced an Islamic law popularly known as Sharia in his state and eleven other northern states immediately followed suit. He opined in his defense that the Nigerian constitution gave the states an implied power to enact such law, thus rekindling a contentious debate on the role of religion in the country. The analysis begins with an examination of the constitutionality of the Sharia law and its consequences on citizens where such law operates. This is followed by an explication of reactions in Sharia states and the federal government‟s concern about the issue at stake. In sum, the article concludes with some policy implications of the Sharia law in a few northern states in the country.
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