The traditional classification of customary law is into
the following categories:
·
Ethnic/Non-Moslem
·
Moslem law/
Sharia
In the states in the Southern part of the country,
Moslem/Islamic law, where it exists, is integrated into and has always been
treated as an aspect of the customary law. Since 1956, however, Islamic law has
been administered in the Northern states as a separate and distinct system.
Even then it has only been in relation to Muslim personal law. However, it is
better to accord Islamic law its distinct status as a separate source of law
because of its peculiarities in terms of origin, nature and territorial and
personal scope of application.
