Judge condemns reaction to hijab judgment, adjourns stay of execution to July 19

Justice Jide Falola of an Osun state High court, has condemned the reactions that followed his judgment on wearing of hijab by Muslim female students in the state.

He described the wearing of robe and church garments to public schools in protest of the court judgment as "unfortunate and violation of constituted authority."

Justice Falola stated this during the hearing of stay of execution filed by the Osun state Christian Association of Nigeria, OS-CAN, against the judgment that guaranteed Muslim female students' right to wear hijab in public schools.

He stated that the only means of protesting a judgment that one is not satisfied with, is the appeal court, saying "it is unfortunate that some innocent students were used to violate the constituted authority to the extent that the students were posted on BBC with strange wears without considering the future of the students.

Justice Falola who also advised the press men to be diligent and sincere in their reports, alleged that some parties in the hijab case had sponsored the media to undermine the court.

He said, "the press should assist the society and not to provoke the society. The press should play the constitutional role of educating and informing people.

"It was clear in the write up by some press men that nobody tried to get the judgment before forming opinion and sponsored same in the media.

"I'm employed as a judge and I'm bound to abide by the law. My conscience is clear. My hands are not tied. I apply the law the way it is," he stated.

When the case was called yesterday, lead-counsel to the applicants (CAN), Mr Olufemi Ayandokun, told the court that his clients had filed an application for stay of execution on June 22, 2016 and served the respondents.

He stated that the respondents have also served him counter affidavit and urged the court to grant him adjournment to allow him reply on point of law.

Meanwhile, lead counsel to the applicant respondent (Muslim Community), Mr Kazeem Odedeji, said he would not oppose the application because of the public holiday.

Also, Counsel to the 1st to 5th defendants (Governor, Ministries of Education and Justice, and two others), Mr Jide Obisakin, did not oppose the application for adjournment.