From Our Correspondent
For the second time in six months, the International School Ibadan (ISI), University of Ibadan lost its application for a stay of execution on the use of hijab by female Muslim students of the school.
TheNewsZenith reports that this is a sequel to striking out of the application for a stay of execution on the previous judgment on May 22.
In the judgement, Oyo State High Court, Ibadan granted the students the right to wear their hijab on school uniform.
Justice Moshood Ishola, who presided over the court, on Tuesday, gave the judgment following an appeal by the management of the school, asking for a stay of execution.
Delivering the ruling on the application, Justice Ishola, ruled that it amounts to judicial impertinence for the court to entertain a pending application at the appeal court.
“This court lacks jurisdiction to entertain such an application. It can only rule on a matter if the application is in limbo without a number at the appeal court.”
Earlier, the leading counsel to the applicants, Mr Magnus Ejelonu argued that his application was premised on order 4, rule 10 of the Appeal Court.
The order states that a case is admissible when records have been received and assigned to file in the court registry.
In his submission, the leading counsel to the 11 female Muslim students of the UI-ISI, Mr Hassan Fajimite expressed disappointment in the school management for attempting to scuttle the enforcement of fundamental human rights, following a well-founded judgement of the High Court.
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Mr Yusuf Anikulapo, Counsel to an incorporated trustee of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), also spoke in the same vein.
Anikulapo corroborated Fajimite’s submission, saying the applicant had transmitted a record of appeal to the other party. He added that his case has been assigned Suit No: CA/IB/345/2024.
The Presiding Justice Ishola, therefore, struck out the application for lack of merit and not inconsistent with the laid down rules.
Reacting to the judgment, the Chairman of ISI-Muslim Parents Forum, Abdur-Rahman Balogun described the judgement as a welcome development.
This is as the school children have been living harmoniously, as evident in the 2024 Yearbook where all the students live peacefully irrespective of their tribe and faith.
Balogun added that the judgement also gave testament to the international status of the school which ought to allow for the inclusivity of all irrespective of race, tribe and religion.
Similarly, the Ambassador of the Oyo State Chapter of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), Mallam Ibrahim Agunbiade described the school management’s decision as an act against peaceful coexistence.
He urged the school management to abide by the judgement of the High Court and replicate other International Schools around the globe.
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