Hijab: UI International School loses again as court strikes out stay of execution application

For the second time within six months, the International School Ibadan (ISI), University of Ibadan lost its application of stay of execution for the usage of hijab by female Muslim students of the school.

This was sequel to striking out of the application for stay of execution of the previous judgement in May 22, 2024 granting the female Muslim students the right to wear their hijab on the school uniform by an Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan.

Justice Moshood Isola, who presided over the court on Tuesday gave the judgment following an appeal by the management of the school asking for stay of execution.

Delivering the ruling on the application, Justice Ishola who delivered the May 22 Judgment, 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 being given number at the appeal court”, Ishola declared.

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 stating that a case is admissible when records had been received and assigned 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 making attempt to scuttle enforcement of fundamental human rights, following a well founded judgement of the High Court.

Speaking in the same vein, Mr Yusuf Anikulapo, Counsel to an incorporated trustee of the Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC, corroborated Fajimite’s submission that a record of appeal has been transmitted by the applicant, adding 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 in consistent with the laid down rules.

Reacting to the judgment, the Chairman, ISI Muslim Parents Forum, Abdur-Rahman Balogun described the judgement as a welcome development, 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 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 decision of the management of international School Ibadan (ISI) as an act against peaceful coexistence. He urged the school management to abide by the well founded judgement of the High court, and replicate other international School around the globe.