By MSSN Akinyele Area Council

Roughly two years after the High Court delivered its judgment on the use of hijab at the International School Ibadan (ISI), the Court of Appeal is now set to fix a date for judgment on the appeal filed by the school management.

The case, which resumed hearing on Tuesday, 19 May 2026, continued yesterday, Thursday, 21 May 2026, following an adjournment for further proceedings. It would be recalled that on 22 May 2024, the High Court ruled in favour of willing Muslim students, affirming their right to express their faith through the use of hijab. Dissatisfied with the decision of the lower court, the school management subsequently filed an appeal.

Also present in court was counsel representing traditional worshippers, who sought to be joined as respondents in the suit in order to enjoy similar rights. The counsel urged the court to vary the earlier judgment accordingly. However, the application was overruled on the grounds that the group was not an original party to the suit and had not filed any initial claim before the court.

After listening to arguments from both the appellants and respondents, which ranged from whether the school should be regarded as a private or public institution to the contention that the issue of fundamental human rights renders such classification immaterial, the presiding judge stated that a later date would be fixed for judgment.

Speaking with journalists shortly after the sitting, representatives of the Muslim Lawyers’ Association of Nigeria (MULAN) expressed appreciation to the Muslim Ummah for its steadfast support and commitment since the commencement of the case. They urged Muslims to continue to show up in large numbers whenever necessary and concluded by praying for victory in the matter.