The Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos yesterday adjourned till May 3, the hearing of an appeal against the ban on Hijab in secondary schools in the state.
Presiding Justice S.D. Bage scolded the government for not responding to the appeal brought by the Mushin Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN); Lagos State Area Unit, following the dismissal of its suit at the high court.
The government banned the use of Hijab because it is not part of the approved school uniform.
MSSN went to court to seek redress and protect Muslim girls from being flogged, embarrassed, and victimised for using Hijab within and outside school premises. Justice Grace Modupe Onyeabo upheld the government’s action because of the “secularity” of Lagos State.
At the appeal court, the government did not file a respondent brief.
Instead, its counsel filed a motion for extension during yesterday’s hearing and also sought to file response within one week.
Justice Bage faulted the government’s approach, alleging that it is “playing with a case of public interest”.
He adjourned the case till May 3.