Court opens Hijab case in Osun

Controversies trailing the use of hijab by Muslim female students in public schools in Osun State may soon be settled as the case was reopened in court on Friday.

The case which was adjourned indefinitely in August 2013 came up on Friday before Justice Jide Falola of an Osun state High Court, Osogbo.

The Osun State Muslim Community had dragged the state government to the court, seeking an order of the court to allow Muslim female students use hijab in public schools.

Joined in the suit are the Osun state government, the state Commissioner for Education, Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice while the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), its chairman and others voluntarily joined as respondents.

It would be recalled that the use of hijab generated cataclysmic reactions in the state where most students were carrying masquerades to the school assembly hence heightened tension before the indefinite adjournment.

When the case came up on Friday, Justice Falola expressed his displeasure over the dangerous dimension the case is taking due to series of letters and accusations by counsels to Christian and Muslim communities.

He urged the parties not to raise any religion tension in the state, advising them to see religion as a personal affair.

Counsel to the sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth respondents, Femi Ayandokun, prayed the court for adjournment to enable them substitute the seven respondent for the substantive hearing.

While noting that the court will not entertain any undue adjournment, Justice Falola said, as a matter of public interest, the issue must be put in the proper perspectives by speeding up hearing of the suit.

The sitting was adjourned to 8th of April, 2016 for substantive hearing.

Meanwhile, Counsels to the state government were not in court.