🇳🇬NigeriaWest Africa
Court of Appeal overturns judgment allowing hijab at University of Ibadan International School
via Punch Nigeria2 min read
The Court of Appeal in Ibadan has overturned a previous Oyo State High Court judgment that permitted Muslim students at the International School, University of Ibadan, to wear hijabs as part of their school uniform. In a split decision, the appellate panel ruled by a two-to-one majority that the Supreme Court's decision on hijab use applies only to public schools, not private institutions like the International School. The court set aside the earlier judgment by Justice Moshood Ishola, which had stated that the school's hijab ban violated students' constitutional rights to freedom of religion and non-discrimination. Justice Biobele Georgewill, delivering the lead majority judgment with Justice K.I. Amadi concurring, stated that the International School is a private institution and that students had waived their right to wear hijab by agreeing to the school's dress code. Justice Fadawu Umar, however, dissented, arguing the appeal lacked merit. The dispute originated in 2018 when Muslim students challenged the school's uniform policy, leading to the 2022 Oyo State High Court ruling in their favor, which the school authorities subsequently appealed.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
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