Role of Hisbah (Ombudsmanship) Institution in Ensuring Ethical Business Practices : Reflection for Shari’ah Implementing States in Nigeria

Absence of discussion on the economic role of Hisbah institution in complementing the effort of regulatory and monitoring authorities in the inspection of weights and measures, quality of food products, manipulation of prices, supplies and production, monopolistic collisions, cheating and fraud has made many people in Nigeria to mistaken the Hisbah agency for an institution whose primary occupation is just to deal with fornicators, thieves and those who carry women on motorcycles in such societies. Using literature survey, this paper assesses the role of Hisbah institution in ensuring ethical business practices for Shari’ah implementing States in Nigeria to reflect over. The paper argues that contrary to the notion many people have in Nigeria, the institution of Hisbah is not meant to only serve spiritual and social purposes in the society devoid of economic contribution but that it has specific role in ensuring that businesses are conducted in line with Islamic business ethics particularly in Shari’ah implementing States. The paper concludes that the task ahead of the Shari’ah implementing States is to maximally exploit the economic role of the Hisbah in view of its relevance in the modern economy