The Court of
Appeal sitting in Lagos has scolded the Lagos State Government for not filling
response to the appeal against the ban on Hijab in Secondary schools in Lagos
State.
The LASG was
scolded by the lead judge, Hon. Justice Sidi Bage, during the hearing of an
appeal case against ban on Hijab on Monday at Igbosere, Lagos.
It would be
recalled that the Court of Appeal had on Thursday, November 19, 2015 heard the
appellant motion against the ban on the Muslim headscarf.
The Lagos
State Government banned the use of Hijab on the argument that it was not part
of the approved school uniform for students.
Subsequently,
members of the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria, Lagos State Area Unit
proceeded to court to seek redress but lost in the High Court ruling by Justice
Grace Modupe Onyeabo.
In the High
Court Ruling, Justice Grace Modupe Onyeabo earlier ruled against the use of
Hijab because of the “secularity” of Lagos State.
The LASG counsel, who is a Chief State Counsel
Mr. Oluwole Ligali, filed a motion for extension during the Monday’s hearing
and also pleaded to file response within one week.
However, the
lead judge faulted the LASG, alleging that the government was “playing with a
case of public interest”.
Earlier Bar.
Wasiu Amoo who led other seven other lawyers representing the appellants
withdrew their motion, asking the Court to set down the matter for hearing since
LASG has eventually filled their motion asking for the Court to allow them file
their Respondent brief out of time.
After
granting the request, the case was subsequently adjourned till May 3, 2016.
Reacting to
the sitting, the President of the MSSN Lagos, Saheed Ashafa, expressed
displeasure over what he described as delay tactics of the LASG.
He added
that regardless of the plot of the LASG, the society won’t be discouraged in
ensuring that the fundamental right of Muslim females to wear Hijab was not
trampled upon.
He said, “We
will continue to be peaceful and we urge Muslims community to impregnate
themselves with patience regardless of the distracting tactics by the LASG. We are
highly dissatisfied at the slow response of the LASG to the court process. God willing;
we will not relent in our demand for full recognition of our rights. The use of
Hijab by students in Lagos State-owned schools is an inalienable right.”
Written by NEWSTRAWL ONLINE UPDATE
Sodiq Oyeleke is a Media, Human Resources, Project Management and Public Relations Practitioner
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