The Oyo State High Court presided by Justice Ladiran Akintola has fixed March 11 for a hearing in the enforcement of fundamental human rights suit.

The suit was instituted by 11 female Muslim students of the University of Ibadan International School Ibadan (ISI) over hijab use.

On behalf of their children, parents sued the school for infringing on students’ fundamental human rights by banning them from wearing hijab on their school uniform.

The claimants are Farida Moshood, Halia Dopesi, Haliyat Adebayo, Iqlas Badiru, Maridiya Yekini, Mamuda Babarinde, Amdalat Opeyemi and Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), among others.

The respondents include the school principal, Phebean Olowe, Board of Governors chairman, Abideen Aderinto and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics) office, Olalekan Jeremiah, Babatunde Okolo, Lukman Ajibade, Tunde Aro and Fatumise Abey.

At Wednesday proceedings, the claimants’ counsel, Hassan Fajimite, informed the court that he received counter-affidavits from all the respondents except one.

Mr Fajimite told the court that he needed time to respond to the counter-affidavits of the respondents and requested an adjournment.

He also urged the court to declare the continuous denial of the authority of ISI to allow the female Muslim students from wearing hijab as wrongful and unconstitutional.

Olalekan Tani, the PTA’s counsel, informed the court that he was bringing an application to substitute the name of Olalekan Jeremiah and Lukman Ajibade, PTA chairman and secretary, respectively.

Mr Tani informed the court that necessary adjustments would be made before the next adjourned date.

(NAN)