The Court of Appeal in Ibadan has ordered the University of Ibadan (UI), International School Ibadan (ISI), and the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) to maintain the status quo in the ongoing legal dispute over hijab use by female Muslim students.
The order followed MURIC’s application for a stay of execution after the appellate court, on July 3, overturned an Oyo State High Court ruling that had earlier permitted Muslim students at the school to wear hijab. The appeal court’s decision was reached by a split 2-1 verdict.
A three-man panel led by Justice Kenneth Amadi, alongside Justices Fadawu Umar and Binta Suberu, heard the stay application and directed all parties to refrain from taking further action until the stay motion is heard and determined.
Justice Amadi said the parties had no right to act on the judgment while the stay application was pending. He noted he had been informed that the school had already begun enforcing measures against students over hijab use, and questioned the urgency, pointing out that the seven-day window for releasing the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgment had not yet elapsed.
The matter has been adjourned to October 7 for hearing of the stay application.
MURIC’s counsel, Yusuf Anikulapo, represented by Hassan Fajimite, had earlier informed the court of his intention to file the stay application, but noted it was not yet ripe for hearing and would need to be substituted. He asked the court to preserve the status quo and grant an adjournment.
Counsel for UI and ISI, Damilola Akinsanya, did not oppose the request.
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