Appeal Court grants use of Hijab in Lagos schools

The Court of Appeal has granted Muslim students the right to use hijab in Lagos schools.
The court gave the ruling on Thursday.
In taking the position, the Court of Appeal set aside the verdict of the Lagos State High Court, which earlier disallowed the use of Hijab.
The special panel of the Court of  Appeal set up to hear the case had previously reserved its judgement on May 27.
During the hearing, Justice A. B. Gumel told the parties involved in the case to update their defence documents.
Other Justices in the five-man panel set up by President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa, are Justice M. Fasanmi, Justice A. Jauro, Justice J. S. Ikejegh and Justice I. Jombo Ofor.
The case was between Asiyat Kareem (Minor) suing through AbdulKareem Raji; Mariam Oyeniyi through Sulaimon Oyeniyi; and the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria, Lagos State Area Unit suing through its President, Saheed Ashafa, against the Lagos State Government and others, as respondents.
It would be recalled that Justice Amina Augie of the Court of Appeal in Lagos earlier affirmed that granting of the right to Muslim students to wear Hijab in Lagos State schools needed constitutional interpretation.
Justice Augie, while granting the right to hear a case on the Hijab matter on May 3, asked the appellants to write the President of the Court of Appeal to set up a full court to hear the case.
In the case, the appellants want the judgement of the lower court to be reversed, while the defendant wanted it to be upheld.
Reacting to the judgement, Ashafa expressed delight over the pronouncement by the court.
While saying the right to wear Hijab was long overdue, Ashafa urged all parties to act in accordance with the judgement.
He said: “This is victory for Islam!
“Victory to Muslims.
“The words of Allah have come to pass.
“We are glad that there are few judges whose neutrality has not be stained by sentiment.
“We wonder why we had to face so many challenges before our right is granted.
“This recognition and truthful interpretation on freedom of religion as enshrined in the Nigeria constitution (Section 36) and United Nations Charter, will further strengthen public trust on the judiciary.
“Today will remain historic in the life of every Muslim in Lagos and Nigeria as a whole.
“We will remain law abiding and appeal to all and sundry not to act in ways and manners that are contrary to the judgement.
“This should mark the end to harassment, embarrassment, victimisation, cheating and all acts of wickedness unleashed on Muslim female students who wear the Hijab.”