A special five-man panel of the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, Thursday set aside the judgment of a Lagos High Court that banned students in Lagos State-owned primary and secondary schools from wearing the Hijab (Islamic headscarf) on their school uniforms. In a unanimous decision, the court presided over by Justice A. B. Gumel held that the appeal is meritorious and same should be allowed.
It held further that the refusal to allow female Muslim students wear the Hijab “will amount to discrimination on the ground of their religion.” Other Justices in the panel are Justice M. Fasanmi, Justice A. Jauro, Justice J. S. Ikyegh and Justice I. Jombo Ofor.
The appeal was filed by two female students of Atunrase Junior High School, Surulere, Asiyat Kareem and Mariam Oyeniyi, under the aegis of the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Lagos State Area Unit. MSSN, Lagos State Area Unit.
