The Ibadan Court of Appeal has annulled a prior High Court ruling that allowed female Muslim students at the University of Ibadan International School (ISI) to wear hijabs with their uniforms.
This decision was made public on Friday in response to an appeal from the school’s management against the Oyo State High Court’s ruling dated May 22, 2024.
The legal issue arose when 11 Muslim female students filed a lawsuit, claiming their fundamental rights were violated when they were barred from wearing hijabs as part of their school attire.
In a split decision of 2–1, the appellate court ruled in favor of the school and overturned the earlier judgment.
Justice Biobele Georgewill, who authored the lead judgment and was joined by Justice K.I. Amadi, asserted that the University of Ibadan International School is a private entity and should not be treated like public schools referenced in a previous Supreme Court ruling.
Justice Georgewill stated, “The Supreme Court ruling that permitted hijab use was specific to a public school in Lagos State.”
He further clarified that this ruling does not automatically apply to private institutions.
He pointed out that students accept the school’s regulations, including the dress code, when they enroll.
He added, “In public schools, hijabs can be worn with uniforms based on the Supreme Court’s decision, but there has been no ruling regarding hijab use in private schools.”
The judge concluded, “The lower court’s ruling that allowed female Muslim students to wear hijabs with their uniforms at ISI, a private school, is overturned.”
However, Justice Fadawu Umar dissented, stating in his opposing judgment that the appeal was without merit and upheld the previous High Court ruling that recognized the students’ right to wear hijabs at the school.
(Source: Daily Post)