say, Judgement, a rape of the constitution

The Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Lagos State Area Unit has frowned at the judgement delivered by Justice Grace Onyeabo of the Ikeja High Court, Lagos on the ban of hijabs in primary and secondary schools in the state.

Onyeabo had on Friday, September 17, dismissed and ruled against the use of hijab in schools, claiming it would affect the secular nature of Lagos State.

MSSN described the Judgement as a rape of the constitution.

President of the group, Alhaji Kaamil Kalejaiye said the judge rejected numerous arguments presented to her, during the about two-year case, that sections of the Nigerian constitution and international laws guaranteed the freedom of religion, thoughts and conscience.

Kalejaiye said: “It is unfair that the judgement denied us a right that is not only Godly but constitutionally stated. Do we call that a misinterpretation of the constitution or rape of the code of law. We want to believe that the dictates of the constitution must stand at all times. While we remain undaunted and won’t relent on our efforts to get female pupils dress accordingly because it is their right, we reject in totality the judgement and urge every Muslims to do so too.

“We are simply asking for our right and not a favour. We have started the sensitization and mobilization of our members, sympathizers and well-wishers which include parents and families of our members of over four million here in Lagos to be ready for protest and Allah on our side we shall overcome.

“What it means, to refuse Hijab is simply that you are asking our female pupils to begin to dress nakedly. It is shameful that we have found ourselves in a state where wrong acts are seen as the rightt by some elements.”

Kalejaiye insisted that the judgement would not have been fairly arrived at, giving the stance that the defence lawyer, Femi Pedro (SAN) had in one of his positions argued and recognized the use of Hijab.

He also said since the government said it would allow the use of Hijab during Islamic Religion Knowledge classes and Jumaat prayer, the Judge should know that it was a permissible dressing ethics for female Muslims.

He stated: “It is embarrassing to hear the judge say that allowing the freedom of religion for Muslims would affect faithful of other religions. This seems to be absolutely out of point as the mode of practice and doctrines of every religion are different.