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Alh. Abubakar Haruna Khalil Esq, Chief Registrar of the Sharia Court of Appeal in Kano, has issued a circular making the use of English optional in court proceedings.
Hausa can now also be used in the Sharia courts.
This is contained in Circular No. 2 of 2024 dated 17th September 2024 and directed to all Hon. Kadis, Directors, Upper and Sharia Court Judges, Staff, Lawyers and the General Public.
The circular states:
“This is to bring to the notice of the general public, particularly lawyers and litigants, that it has been resolved that henceforth litigants, either through their legal representatives or in person, are at liberty and free to conduct their respective appeals and file their processes in either Hausa or English language.”
The new language rules are as follows:
1. Any appeal initiated in either Hausa or English must continue using that same language throughout the proceedings until the end of the case.
2. Switching between languages is not allowed once an appeal has begun in a particular language.
3. Until further notice via a new circular, transmission of Hausa versions of the record of proceedings from the lower courts to the Sharia Court of Appeal shall continue. Translated English versions are not necessary at this time.
The circular emphasizes that cooperation and compliance from all parties is not only required but will be highly appreciated.
The ability to use Hausa in addition to English is expected to make Sharia court proceedings more accessible to native Hausa speakers. This change reflects the court’s efforts to better serve the local population.
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