Hijab crisis: Parents sue UI, school, principal, others over violation of rights

Parents of students of the University of Ibadan International School have on Monday dragged the school and the University of Ibadan before an Oyo State High Court over the denial of some Muslim female students of the school the right to wear Hijab.

Also joined in the suit number m/706/2018 filed at the court in Monday are the Principal of the school, Mrs. Phebean Olowe and the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the school, Professor Yinka Aderinto who is also the Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan.

DAILY POST recalls that the school had been enmeshed in crisis over the use of Hijab by the students, the decision the school authority situated in the premises of University of Ibadan considered as violation of its rules.

However, the aggrieved parents, who argued that the use of Hijab is a fundamental right of their female children on Monday, approached the court on behalf of their wards (minors) for the enforcement of the right of the students.

The Muslim parents among whom were: Taofeek Oyedej Yekinni on behalf of Moridiyyah Ayoka Yekinni, Idris Badiru on behalf of Ikhlas Badiru, Sikiru Babatunde on behalf of Mahmudah Babarinde, Muideen Akerele on behalf of Faridah Akerele, Bello Dokpesi on behalf of Aakifah and Aakiyah Dokpesi, Rahman Akinoso on behalf of Iman Akinoso, Muhaiminudeen Akinlusi on behalf of Raheemah Akinlusi, Abdulwasiu Moshood on behalf of Faridah Moshood, Dr. Olatunde Olosunde on behalf of Hamdallah Olosunde, Abdulsakur Adebayo on behalf of Aliyah Adebayo and Abdulrahman Balogun, Ridwan Ademola and Bolaji Ajani on behalf of Muslim Parents of the school argued that continues denial of the 1st to 11th applicants the right to use Hijab on their school uniform within the premises of the school is unconstitutional as constitutes violation of the applicants rights to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.

The respondents our correspondent gathered have been served the court summons.

The parents through their counsel, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), also argued that locking up of the applicants by the 1st to 4th respondents was contrary to section 38 and 42 of the constitution of Nigeria.

Our correspondent further gathered that the case has been fixed for mention at the state high court before Justice Ladiran Akintola on Friday December 21, 2018.