Wearing Hijab by Female Muslim students Ban In Lagos State

Lagos State Government yesterday pleaded before an Ikeja High Court, for more time to settle out of court over its ban on wearing of Hijab by female Muslim students in the state’s primary and secondary schools.

The Muslim Student Association of Nigeria(MSSN) had dragged the state government to court over the ban, maintaining that the ban by the state violates their fundamental human rights.

The association is also contending that banning female students from using Hijab on or outside the premises of any educational institution in Lagos State “is wrongful and unconstitutional”.

State counsel Samuel Ajanaku told the court that the delay from the government to work out a reasonable term of settlement and present same to the court was due to bureaucracy in the system.

He therefore urged the presiding judge, Justice Modupe Onyeabo to grant further adjournment to enable both parties conclude on the settlement terms.

Speaking, yesterday, at the court session, counsel to the MSSN, Lagos State Area Unit, Mr. Adetola Kasim (SAN), asked the court to proceed for the hearing of the case, since according to him, the State Government had not responded to a proposal for terms of settlement sent since July, 2013.

He urged the judge to let the case proceed as it is of high public interest and can no longer wait.

The state counsel however, pleaded for further adjournment, claiming that the terms are currently at the office of the governor.

Justice Onyeabo granted the application and adjourned the case till December 19 for report on settlement.