The Intersection of Islamic Law and Secular Contract Principles in Commercial Disputes in Sokoto State

The co-existence of Sharia commercial law principles and secular Nigerian contract law in Sokoto State creates a unique and analytically rich legal environment in which commercial dispute resolution requires careful navigation of competing normative frameworks. This study analyses the intersection of Islamic contract law and secular contract principles in commercial dispute resolution in Sokoto State, focusing on cases adjudicated in both Sharia Courts and secular High Courts between 2019 and 2024. Using a comparative legal methodology, the research examines how courts in Sokoto handle conflicts between Sharia principles on riba (interest), gharar (uncertainty), and qimar (speculation) and the requirements of Nigerian secular contract law, drawing on 35 decided cases and interviews with 20 Sharia court judges, 15 common law practitioners, and 10 Islamic finance scholars. Findings reveal a growing jurisprudential tension between Sharia commercial norms and the demands of Nigeria's increasingly interconnected commercial economy, with courts developing pragmatic but inconsistent approaches to hybrid disputes. The study also examines the contribution of Sokoto State's customary court appeal mechanism to harmonising dual legal systems. This research fills an important analytical gap in the literature on legal pluralism in Nigeria's commercial law. Recommendations include the development of a harmonised commercial dispute resolution protocol for dual-jurisdiction states, specialised training for lawyers practising in dual legal system environments, and academic curricula that integrate Sharia and secular commercial law. Keywords: Islamic law, contract law, legal pluralism, Sokoto State, commercial disputes