Nigeria appeals court orders status quo on hijab use at International School Ibadan

The Court of Appeal in Ibadan has mandated that all parties involved in the ongoing dispute over the use of hijabs by female Muslim students at the International School Ibadan must maintain the status quo. This directive comes as the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) seeks a stay of execution for a recent appellate court ruling.

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You don’t have the right to do anything until the stay of execution is heard and determined.

Previously, the appellate court, in a split decision, overturned a High Court judgment that had permitted the wearing of hijabs. MURIC has since filed an application to halt the execution of this decision while they prepare to appeal to the Supreme Court.

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Once the motion of stay of execution has been filed, you can’t have the right to do anything.

Presiding Justice Kenneth Amadi, along with Justices Fadawu Umar and Binta Suberu, issued the order, stating that no party has the right to alter the current situation until the application for a stay of execution is heard and determined. Justice Amadi noted concerns about the school allegedly harassing students regarding hijab use and pointed out that the official copy of the judgment had not yet been released within the legally stipulated seven days.

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I was told the school has started harassing the students on the use of hijab; I don’t know why the rush.

The court adjourned the hearing for the stay of execution application to October 7. The counsel for MURIC had informed the court of their intention to substitute their initial application, requesting the status quo be maintained. The legal representatives for the University of Ibadan and the International School Ibadan did not object to the adjournment.

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Have you gotten the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgment? The seven days stipulated by the law for the judgment to be released are still running.