Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court of Nigeria has described Nigeria as a secular state with freedom of worship and religion, saying every Nigerian has the freedom to practise the religion of his choice.
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The highly revered judge made the remarks at the Muslim Lawyers’ Association of Nigeria (MULAN), FCT branch, 2025 law week themed “One Ummah, One Bar”, which was held on Thursday at the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) House, Central Business District (CBD), Abuja.
Addressing participants at the event, Justice Nyako said Allah has given human being the freewill to practice the religion he so desires while adding that religion either comes through birth or by choice.
She cited the example of a case brought to her court by those who wanted to register a shrine but were being thwarted by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). She said she asked the CAC if they’ve met the criteria to register the shrine and they said yes.
According to her, she said she told the CAC they (the applicants) have not breached any law as long as they do not practice anything that is against the law.
She said, “Nigeria is a secular state. And everybody has freedom of worship. Allah has given us the freewill to practice our religion. Allah has the power to make humanity to practice one religion but He did not. He gave us the freewill to choose our religion which can be by birth or by choice.
“I remember a case brought to my court by those who wanted to register a shrine but were being stopped by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). I asked the CAC if they have met the criteria to register the shrine and they said yes. I told the CAC they (the applicants) have not breached any law as long as they do not practice anything that is against the law.”
Justice Nyako also seized the occasion to advise young and upcoming lawyers to be open to continuous legal education and always imbibe the culture of hard work, punctuality, discipline and respect in their day-to-day activities and aim for the top.
“Muslim lawyers must always demonstrate what Islam teaches us. They must imbibe the culture of Islam which is punctuality. First impression means a lot because there can never be second chance for second impression. Young lawyers should learn from the senior ones.
“Continuing legal education and mentorship is very is key for junior lawyers and imbibe the culture of discussion within your group. You must continue to read and learn, you cannot know it all. Do your research at all times, hard work does not kill, laziness kills,” Justice Nyako added.
The keynote speaker at the event, Professor Yusuf O. Ali (SAN), said the legal profession is built upon shared ideals of integrity, justice, service and the defence of the weak.
Represented by Professor Mubarak Adekilekun (SAN), Professor Ali said the theme ‘One Ummah One Bar’ “challenges us to see the convergence between our faith and our calling. It invites us to live out our profession as an extension of our deen (faith) as an act of ibadah, of worship, to uphold justice because it is a command from Allah not merely a professional rule.”
While he described integrity as the foundation of trust, he said fairness is the foundation of justice, adding that service is the foundation of leadership.
“Let us make integrity the defining mark of Muslim lawyers, that when they see us, they think immediately of fairness, humility and credibility. One Ummah One Bar is more than a theme, it is a call to unity of purpose, to moral excellence and to faithful service.
“We are custodians of both the law of man and the trust of God. Our dual identity as Muslims and as lawyers demand a higher discipline and commitment to the ideals of our Deen,” the legal luminary stated.
In their separate remarks, the chairman, MULAN Week Planning Committee, and the chairman, MULAN FCT branch, His Excellency M.A. Abubakar (SAN) and Al-Bashir Lawal Likko respectively, called for the need to mentor young lawyers through intellectual discussions, spiritual grounding and professional collaboration to reach the top of their careers.
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