The Incorporated Trustees of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) have filed an appeal at the Supreme Court challenging the Court of Appeal judgment which barred the use of hijab as part of the school uniform at the International School, University of Ibadan (ISI), while also seeking an order stopping the enforcement of the verdict pending the determination of the appeal.
PLATFORM TIMES gathered that MURIC, through its counsel, Yusuf Anikulapo & Co., on Friday, formally notified the management of the school that it had filed both a Notice of Appeal and a Motion for Injunction and Stay of Execution before the Supreme Court.
The legal action followed a circular reportedly issued by the school directing that students should stop wearing hijab from Monday, July 6, 2026, in compliance with the Court of Appeal judgment delivered on July 3.
In a letter dated July 4, 2026 and addressed to the Principal of the International School, University of Ibadan, the group’s solicitors warned the school against implementing the appellate court’s decision, arguing that doing so despite the pending appeal and application for stay of execution could amount to contempt of court.
“Our client has filed an appeal against the judgment and has equally filed a Motion on Notice seeking an injunction and stay of execution pending the determination of the appeal at the Supreme Court,” the letter stated.
According to the lawyers, the application specifically seeks an order restraining the school, its agents and privies from enforcing or acting on the Court of Appeal judgment until the apex court determines the appeal.
MURIC expressed surprise that the school was allegedly making preparations to enforce the judgment despite being aware of the pending appeal and the application for stay.
“It will be recalled that it was this brazen act of disregard for the rule of law, due process and fundamental rights that led to the ongoing legal tussle,” the solicitors stated.
The group maintained that any attempt by the school authorities to prevent female Muslim students from wearing hijab before the determination of the appeal would violate existing legal processes and amount to contempt of court.
It added that the filing of the appeal and stay application demonstrated its commitment to the rule of law rather than self-help or violence.
Documents obtained by PLATFORM TIMES showed that MURIC filed the Notice of Appeal on July 3, 2026, asking the Supreme Court to set aside the majority judgment of the Court of Appeal.
Among the grounds of appeal, MURIC argued that the Court of Appeal erred by classifying the International School as a private institution.
The appellant contended that the school is owned and funded by the Federal Government through the University of Ibadan, with principal officers of the university serving on its governing board.
It further argued that the appellate court wrongly held that Muslim female students had waived their constitutional right to wear hijab, insisting that the school had previously allowed the use of hijab on Fridays before the dispute that culminated in the suit.
MURIC also faulted the Court of Appeal for allegedly failing to follow the Supreme Court’s decision in Lagos State Government v. AbdulKareem (2022), which held that compelling students to dress contrary to their religious beliefs amounts to a violation of their fundamental rights, irrespective of whether the institution is privately or publicly owned.
In the accompanying Motion on Notice, the organisation prayed the court for an injunction restraining the respondents from enforcing the July 3 judgment and an order staying its execution pending the hearing and final determination of the appeal by the Supreme Court.
The application argued that unless the reliefs were granted, the appeal would be rendered nugatory and female Muslim students who had been wearing hijab following the trial court’s judgment would suffer irreparable prejudice.
Copies of the notice and motion were served on the University of Ibadan, the International School, members of the school’s Board of Governors and other respondents in the suit.
The group’s solicitors also copied the Director of the State Security Service in Oyo State, urging caution to prevent a breach of the peace while the legal battle continues.
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