Supreme Court approves use of hijab in Lagos schools
THE Supreme Court has affirmed the rights of Muslims female students in Lagos State to wear hijab to school without harassment or discrimination. In a majority decision, Nigeria’s apex court gave the ruling on Friday in Abuja. Among those on the panel were Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, Justice John Inyang Okoro, Justice Uwani Aji, Justice Mohammed Garba, Justice Tijjani Abubakar, and Justice Emmanuel Agim. While six ruled in favour of the use of hijab, one dissented. The Lagos State Government had in February 2017 approached the Supreme Court to challenge the July 21, 2016 judgment of the Court of Appeal which reinstated the use of hijab by Muslim pupils in Lagos public primary and secondary schools. This was after the state government sought to stay the execution of the judgment at the Lagos Division of the Court of Appeal but failed. The case, CA/L/135/15, is between the Lagos State Government, Miss Asiyat AbdulKareem (through her father), Miss Moriam Oyeni...