The Lagos Division of the Court of Appeal has reversed the judgment of a Lagos State High Court in Ikeja which on October 17, 2014 banned the use of hijab in Lagos State public primary and secondary schools.
The court, presided over by Justice A. B. Gumel, held that the appeal is meritorious.
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.
MSSN, in the suit, explained that two 15-year old students expressed their discomfort with the ban which they claimed violated their constitutional rights to freedom of thought, religion and education.