By MSSN AKINYELE AREA COUNCIL

The Court of Appeal, on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, adjourned the University of Ibadan International School hijab case to October 7, 2026. The court also ordered that the status quo be maintained pending the hearing and determination of the stay of execution motion filed after the court’s split decision of July 3, 2026.

During the proceedings, the court heard arguments from counsel representing both parties and issued a stern warning to the school management and the principal, Mr. Y. Akintunde, against any form of harassment of female Muslim students.

The court also expressed displeasure over a letter signed by Mr. Akintunde and circulated to Muslim female students, informing them that the use of hijab remained prohibited. This was said to have been done despite the fact that the certified true copies of the judgment had not yet been released.

When asked by the court to justify his actions, the principal was unable to provide a satisfactory explanation. The court described the action as “madness” and warned him against any contemptuous conduct going forward.

The court further affirmed that the seven-day period stipulated by law before the release of a certified copy of the judgment had not elapsed. It maintained that no party has the right to implement a judgment until the certified true copy has been released and duly served.

Clarification was also made on the meaning of “status quo” in relation to the matter. The court held that the status quo refers to the judgment of the lower court delivered on May 22, 2024, which permitted willing female Muslim students to wear the hijab.

After hearing submissions from counsel to both parties, the appellate court directed that the status quo be maintained and fixed on October 7, 2026, for the hearing of the pending application.