Abstract: This study critically assesses the administration of criminal justice in Shari’ah courts within Sokoto and Zamfara States, with particular reference to the cases of Buba Bello Kare Garke and Umaru Arzika Tureta. Following the re-implementation of Shari’ah in Northern Nigeria, beginning with Zamfara State in 1999, Shari’ah courts have assumed expanded jurisdiction over criminal matters, applying Islamic legal principles alongside the penal code. The aim of the paper is to critically assess the criminal trial cases of Buba Bello (Kare Garke) and Umaru Arzika Tureta, whom were accused of stealing at different times, places, and items. Buba Bello was accused of stealing a cow at mashaya village, Jangebe district, Talata Mafara emirate, Zamfara state. While on the other hand Arzika Tureta was accused for stealing a sheep in a dwelling house at Tureta town, Sokoto state. With a view to evaluating the extent to which the presiding judges compiled with the texts and authoritative sources of Islamic law. The paper methodology adopted are qualitative and quantitative. The research critically analyses the judicial processes and decisions in the two cases to determine whether the principles of justice, equity, and due process were adequately observed. Particular attention is paid to the application of Islamic law of evidence, including confession, witness, testimony, and circumstantial proof. The Findings indicate that the judgements delivered by the panel of judges were consistent with the principles of Islamic criminal law governing theft offences. It shows that the amputation of their hands as ordered by the judges was in concord with the provisions of the Qur’an and Sunnah. The paper showed that the colonialists relegated the shari’ah and the benefits that will be gotten when the Hudud punishments are restored the cases under review illustrate both the strengths and challenges of Shari’ah adjudication, especially regarding due process and standardization across court levels. The study contributes to ongoing discourse on legal pluralism in Nigeria and proposes reforms to enhance judicial consistency and rights protection in Shari’ah-based criminal proceedings.
Keywords: Assessment, Criminal, Trial, Cases, Shari’ah, Courts
DOI: 10.36349/atij.2026.v02i01.006
author/Lawal Musa Kagara & Abdullahi Haruna
journal/Al-Takamul IJ 2(1) | July 2026 |
