Muslim Parents Drag Management Of University Of Ibadan International School To Court Over Hijab

Some Muslim parents of the University of Ibadan International School dragged the management of the school to court demanding the fundamental human rights of their wards to compulsorily wear hijab.

In the suit No: M/706/2018 filed on behalf of the 14 applicants by Messrs Abdulkareem, Fajimite and Co. at Oyo State High Court was served on Monday on the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Prof. Idowu Olayinka.

Others who received their services were the Deputy Vice Chancellor, (Academic), Prof. Adeyinka Aderinto, Chairman, Board of Governors of ISI and Mrs Phebean Olowe, Principal, ISI, University of Ibadan.

The suit is asking for a declaration of the court that the continuous denial of the 1st to 11th applicants right to use Hijab on their school uniform within the premises of the ISI, Ibadan is wrongful and unconstitutional.

“It constitutes a violation of the applicants’ rights to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, freedom from discrimination and right to dignity of the human persons and right to education as guaranteed by section 38(1) (a) and (b) and 42 (1) (a) & (b) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999.”

The applicants in the matter who sued through their parents were Moridiyya Yekinni, Ikhlas Badiru, Mahmudah Babarinde, Faridah Akerele, Aakifah Dokpesi, Aaliyah Dokpesi, Iman Akinoso, Raheemah Akinlusi, Faridah Moshood, Hamdallah Olusunde and Aliyah Adebayo.

It will be recalled the school was closed for one week following the insistence of the Muslim girls to wear their hijab over their uniform.

The case has been slated for hearing for Friday Dec. 21, 2018 before Hon. Justice Ladiran Akintola of State High Court, Ring Road, Ibadan.