Kano State Sharia Police to Resume Clampdown on Betting Shops after Supreme Court Ruling
In a significant turn of events, the Kano State Sharia Police, commonly known as Hisbah, has announced plans to reinitiate their efforts to shut down betting shops in the city. This decision comes after the Supreme Court recently ruled on a 2005 law that allowed sports betting and gambling activities.
The court’s ruling stated that the regulation of gambling falls under the jurisdiction of state governments, which has led to a re-evaluation of the laws in place in Kano State, where Sharia law is practiced alongside federal legislation. As one of the 12 predominantly Muslim states in Nigeria, Kano State is expected to uphold Islamic laws that prohibit gambling.
Abba Sufi, the Director General of Hisbah, has reiterated the organization’s commitment to enforcing Sharia law in the state, saying, “We will resume our clampdown on betting shops with renewed determination since betting is illegal under Kano state sharia law.” The Hisbah is responsible for implementing Sharia law in Kano, the largest city in northern Nigeria.
Recently, the Hisbah undertook operations that resulted in the closure of several football betting establishments, citing their role in facilitating gambling, which is forbidden by Sharia law. However, these operations were put on hold following a complaint from the National Lottery Commission, which argued that betting on football is permissible under Nigerian federal law.
Sufi explained, “With this verdict, the controversy on who should be in charge of lottery legislation between the federal government and state governments has been settled. We in Kano have frowned at the lottery law because it gave legal backing to gambling, which is clearly prohibited in Islam.”
Approximately 200 betting establishments in Kano are equipped with television screens, allowing customers to watch international soccer matches and horse races while placing their bets, according to Sydney Emeafu, the head of the National Union of Gaming and Lottery Workers (NUGLOW) in Kano.
The raids were sparked by ongoing complaints from parents about their children’s fascination with football teams, which has led to their involvement in gambling activities. Sufi argued, “The harsh economic climate is pushing more people into this football gambling, hoping to make easy money and becoming hooked on the vice.”
As Hisbah resumes its clampdown on betting shops, the fate of these establishments hangs in the balance.
