The ISI Muslim Parents Forum (ISIMPF) has announced plans to seek an appeal at the Supreme Court following a Court of Appeal ruling that supported the hijab prohibition at the University of Ibadan International School (ISI-UI). This legal dispute spans seven years and was initiated by 11 Muslim students.
In a 2-1 verdict, the appellate court decided in favor of the school. The majority opinion, led by Justices Biobele Georgewill and K.I. Amadi, classified ISI-UI as a private institution due to its lack of government subsidies. They clarified that the Supreme Court’s 2022 ruling regarding hijab usage pertains strictly to Lagos State public schools rather than private facilities. The court also noted that students consented to the institution’s uniform regulations upon signing their code of conduct, concluding there was no violation of their rights.
While the court maintained the ban, it did rule that the school infringed upon student rights by detaining them in the library for several hours. Consequently, the previously awarded compensation was lowered from N1 million to N200,000. Justice Fadawu Umar, who dissented, supported the earlier High Court decision and argued that the school’s appeal was meritless.
ISIMPF Chairman Abdur-Rahman Balogun expressed frustration over the outcome but confirmed the organization remains committed to its legal objectives. He encouraged supporters to stay composed while the group prepares to challenge the decision at the nation’s highest judicial authority.
