The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called for an investigation into alleged restrictions on female Muslim candidates wearing hijab at Nigerian Law School examination centres, demanding that all examinations be suspended pending the outcome of the probe.
The organisation also threatened to organise peaceful protests across Law School campuses nationwide if its demands are not met.
MURIC’s Founder and Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, made the demands in a statement issued on Sunday, November 1, following alleged incidents during the final examinations for candidates preparing for the Call to Bar on Saturday, October 31.
According to Akintola, some female Muslim candidates were prevented from entering examination halls because they wore hijab. He alleged that some candidates were made to wait outside for about an hour before they were allowed to enter after removing their head coverings.
The organisation said it received complaints from affected candidates, their parents and concerned Muslims during the examinations.
Akintola described the alleged incidents as a violation of the candidates’ rights and expressed concern that the Nigerian Law School, an institution responsible for legal education, was involved in what he called a disregard for constitutional provisions and court decisions.
He cited Sections 38(1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantee freedom of thought, conscience and religion, including the right to practise and manifest religious beliefs.
MURIC also referred to the Supreme Court’s 2022 judgment in Lagos State Government & Others v. Asiyat Abdulkareem, which upheld the right of Muslim female students to wear hijab in public schools in Lagos State.
The group further argued that the alleged treatment of the candidates violated Section 42 of the Constitution, which prohibits discrimination, and Section 34(1)(a), which protects human dignity and prohibits torture and inhuman or degrading treatment.
Beyond calling for an investigation, MURIC demanded that candidates who experienced harassment and requested another opportunity to sit for their examinations be allowed to do so.
It specifically called for consideration for candidates who were allegedly delayed outside examination halls for at least 15 minutes, saying some reportedly spent up to an hour before they were allowed to enter.
The organisation also warned that it would mobilise parents of affected candidates, Muslim youths and other stakeholders for peaceful demonstrations at Law School campuses if the authorities failed to address the allegations.
Akintola urged parents to take an active role in defending the rights of their daughters, while calling on Muslim youths to participate in efforts to protect religious freedom and civil liberties.
He, however, stressed that any protest organised by the group would remain peaceful, in line with its motto, “Dialogue, No Violence.“
The organisation also threatened to organise peaceful protests across Law School campuses nationwide if its demands are not met.
MURIC’s Founder and Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, made the demands in a statement issued on Sunday, November 1, following alleged incidents during the final examinations for candidates preparing for the Call to Bar on Saturday, October 31.
According to Akintola, some female Muslim candidates were prevented from entering examination halls because they wore hijab. He alleged that some candidates were made to wait outside for about an hour before they were allowed to enter after removing their head coverings.
The organisation said it received complaints from affected candidates, their parents and concerned Muslims during the examinations.
Akintola described the alleged incidents as a violation of the candidates’ rights and expressed concern that the Nigerian Law School, an institution responsible for legal education, was involved in what he called a disregard for constitutional provisions and court decisions.
He cited Sections 38(1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantee freedom of thought, conscience and religion, including the right to practise and manifest religious beliefs.
MURIC also referred to the Supreme Court’s 2022 judgment in Lagos State Government & Others v. Asiyat Abdulkareem, which upheld the right of Muslim female students to wear hijab in public schools in Lagos State.
The group further argued that the alleged treatment of the candidates violated Section 42 of the Constitution, which prohibits discrimination, and Section 34(1)(a), which protects human dignity and prohibits torture and inhuman or degrading treatment.
Beyond calling for an investigation, MURIC demanded that candidates who experienced harassment and requested another opportunity to sit for their examinations be allowed to do so.
It specifically called for consideration for candidates who were allegedly delayed outside examination halls for at least 15 minutes, saying some reportedly spent up to an hour before they were allowed to enter.
The organisation also warned that it would mobilise parents of affected candidates, Muslim youths and other stakeholders for peaceful demonstrations at Law School campuses if the authorities failed to address the allegations.
Akintola urged parents to take an active role in defending the rights of their daughters, while calling on Muslim youths to participate in efforts to protect religious freedom and civil liberties.
He, however, stressed that any protest organised by the group would remain peaceful, in line with its motto, “Dialogue, No Violence.“