Justice Modupe Onyeabor of Ikeja High Court today upheld the ban on the wearing of Hijab - Muslim head scarf in both public primary and secondary schools in Lagos State. The suit was instituted against the state government by two 12-year old students.
The state government had banned the use of hijab on the argument that it was not part of the approved school uniform for pupils in Lagos public schools. The two students later filed a suit in May 2013 seeking redress and asking the court to declare the ban as illegal and a violation of their right to freedom.
Justice Modupe in her judgement said the prohibition of the head scarf within the school premises of public schools in Lagos State was not discriminatory but rather to engender uniformity and also to preserve the secular states of the schools; and that government must maintain neutrality at all times.
“The non-Hijab wearing students will feel inferior to those who are putting on Hijab. “The values of plurality and the respect for the rights of others who have subscribed to a non-faith based educational system cannot be breached.
“In that effect, the issue is resolved in favour of the respondents and the suit is accordingly dismissed.”
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