Justice Laniran Akintola of the Oyo State High Court 9 in Ibadan, the state capital, has fixed March 22 for the report of settlement in a suit filed by parents of some female Muslim pupils of the University of Ibadan International School Ibadan (ISI) over denial to use the hijab, the veil.
Parents of some Muslim pupils at ISI had sued the school management for alleged violation of the fundamental human right of their wards by disallowing them to wear hijab on their school uniform.
The Muslim parents, who filed the suit on behalf of their children, are: Taofeek Yekinni, Idris Badiru, Sikiru Babarinde, Muideen Akerele, Abdurrahman Balogun and nine others.
Also joined as respondents in the suit are: the University of Ibadan (UI), the school’s head teacher, Mrs Phebean Olowe and the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics), UI, who doubles as the Chairman of the Board of Governors in the school, Prof Yinka Aderinto.
The claimants prayed the court to declare that the continuous denial of the authority of ISI to allow the female Muslim pupils wear hijab on their school uniform was wrong and unconstitutional.
Justice Akintola fixed the date yesterday after noting the steps taken by parties, on the advice given to them at the previous sitting by the judge, to try to settle the matter out of court.
He said: “We should all salvage the situation together. I am sure the matter can be amicably resolved.
“The matter is adjourned till March 22 for the report of settlement and mention.”
Counsel to the claimants, Dr Abdulwahab Egbewole (SAN), told the court that the parties had been trying to meet to see how the matter could be settled out of court.
Egbewole averred that the parties agreed to meet after yesterday’s court sitting.
Counsel to the first and fourth respondents, Mrs Oluwatobi Ola, and other respondents’ counsel confirmed the position of the claimants’ counsel.
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