By Bartholomew Madukwe

The Court of Appeal, Lagos division, will today deliver judgment on suit filed by a 16-year-old girl, Asiyat Kareem, against the Lagos State Government, LASG, challenging the ban on usage of hijab on uniforms in Lagos State public primary and secondary schools.

The court held that it is a constitutional case, which a five-man panel should hear. It directed the applicants to apply to the President of the Court of Appeal for a five-man panel to hear it.

The government banned the use of hijab because it is not part of the pupils’ approved school uniform and they (plaintiffs) filed the suit on May 27, 2013, seeking a declaration that the ban is a violation of their rights to freedom of thought, religion and education.