Oyo High Court to deliver judgment in landmark hijab case Tuesday

The Oyo State High Court sitting in Iyaganku, Ibadan, is set to deliver judgment on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, in a landmark case that will determine whether Muslim students can wear the Islamic hijab with their school uniforms in some government-owned schools across the state.

The case, Suit No. 47/2026, was instituted by five Muslim schoolgirls, represented by their guardians, against the Oyo State Government and relevant education authorities.

The defendants include the Governor of Oyo State, the Commissioner for Education, the Attorney-General of Oyo State, and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education.

According to a press release issued on Sunday by Mallam Ibrahim Agunbiade, a member of the Oyo State Muslim Community, the judgment is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. at Court 17 of the High Court of Justice, Iyaganku.

The claimants are asking the court to determine whether the alleged restriction on the use of the Islamic hijab in certain government-owned schools with historical ties to Christian missionary bodies violates their constitutional rights.

The suit centres on claims that Muslim students have been denied the right to wear the hijab as part of their school uniforms, a practice the claimants argue is protected under Nigeria’s constitutional provisions on freedom of religion, equality before the law, and the protection of fundamental human rights.

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Agunbiade described the case as one of the most significant legal disputes on religious freedom in Oyo State, saying its outcome could have far-reaching implications for religious accommodation in public educational institutions.

He called on members of the Muslim community across the state to attend the court proceedings peacefully and lawfully to witness the judgment.

“Our attendance should demonstrate respect for the judiciary and confidence in the rule of law,” he said, urging supporters to remain orderly and comply with all directives issued by court officials and security agencies.

He added that the case extends beyond the issue of school uniforms, touching on broader constitutional questions regarding the rights of students to practise their religion within public schools.

The Muslim community also expressed hope that the court’s decision would uphold the principles of justice, fairness, equity and the rule of law.

The judgment is expected to attract significant public interest, with religious groups, education stakeholders, legal practitioners and civil society organisations closely monitoring the outcome.

The case comes amid recurring debates in parts of Nigeria over the use of religious attire in public schools and the balance between school regulations and constitutionally guaranteed religious freedoms.

Tuesday’s ruling is expected to provide legal clarity on the issue in Oyo State and could influence future discussions on religious rights within the country’s public education system.

Oyo High Court to deliver judgment in landmark hijab case Tuesday

Troops kill ISWAP cameraman, recover footage exposing foreign terrorist facilitators in Borno

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have killed an Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) cameraman and recovered a Sony camcorder containing sensitive operational footage that allegedly exposed the involvement of three foreign terrorist facilitators, including a Palestinian identified as the group’s chief trainer and a Moroccan serving as its medical doctor.

The breakthrough came after troops of 19 Brigade, Sector 3, Operation Hadin Kai, foiled an attempted ISWAP infiltration of Cross Kauwa in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State on Saturday night.

The development was disclosed on Sunday in a statement by the Acting Military Information Officer of Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Muhammed Goni, who described the operation as another major setback for the terrorist group.

According to Goni, the insurgents launched the attack at about 10:20 p.m. on July 11, 2026, hoping to exploit the cover of darkness to overrun troops’ positions and steal cholera medical supplies believed to be stored in the area.

However, vigilant troops detected the terrorists’ movement early and responded with coordinated firepower, forcing the attackers to abandon their mission and retreat with heavy casualties.

“Troops of 19 Brigade, Sector 3, Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), have decisively foiled an attempted infiltration by ISWAP terrorists into Cross Kauwa, Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State, inflicting heavy casualties on the attackers and forcing them to retreat in disarray.

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“The successful defence of the location further demonstrates the vigilance, combat readiness and operational effectiveness of troops who continue to deny terrorist elements freedom of action across the North East Theatre.”

The military said intelligence gathered before the attack suggested the terrorists intended to loot cholera treatment supplies, reinforcing recent reports of a cholera outbreak within ISWAP camps.

According to the military, intelligence also indicates that the group may have executed some of its own members who contracted the disease in an attempt to prevent its spread within their camps.

During the operation, troops killed a suspected ISWAP cameraman who was responsible for documenting the group’s activities and producing propaganda materials.

His death led to the recovery of a Sony camcorder, ammunition, uniforms and other combat equipment.

Military authorities said a preliminary forensic examination of the camera uncovered highly sensitive recordings of terrorist operations, propaganda videos and intelligence linking foreign nationals to ISWAP’s activities in Nigeria.

According to Captain Goni, the last video recorded before the failed attack showed that the operation was coordinated by four senior ISWAP commanders (Qai’ds) working alongside three foreign terrorist facilitators.

The foreign operatives were identified as Abu Ishaq, a Palestinian believed to serve as ISWAP’s chief trainer, Abu Thaiba, a Moroccan medical doctor attached to the terrorist network, and another unidentified Arab operative whose identity is still being investigated.

“Preliminary forensic analysis of the last available video recorded prior to the attack indicates that the operation was coordinated by four senior ISWAP commanders (Qai’ds), alongside three foreign terrorist facilitators.

“They include a Palestinian Arab identified as Abu Ishaq, assessed to be ISWAP’s overall trainer; a Moroccan Arab identified as Abu Thaiba, a medical doctor serving within the terrorist network; and another Arab operative whose identity is yet to be established.”

The military said the discovery provides further evidence that ISWAP continues to receive specialised expertise, logistical support and operational assistance through transnational terrorist networks operating across the region.

Security experts have long warned that extremist groups in the Lake Chad Basin maintain cross-border recruitment and logistical channels involving foreign fighters from neighbouring countries and beyond, making regional cooperation critical to counter-terrorism efforts.

Following the gun battle, troops conducted exploitation operations to assess the extent of the terrorists’ losses and recover additional intelligence materials.

Recovered items included the Sony camcorder, several rounds of PKT ammunition, 7.62mm Special ammunition, terrorist uniforms and other combat equipment.

The military also said preliminary satellite imagery captured after the operation showed insurgents evacuating the bodies of some of their fighters from the battlefield.

According to Goni, the imagery was later corroborated by credible human intelligence sources, which confirmed that several terrorists were killed while many others sustained gunshot wounds during the failed assault.

Despite the successful operation, two Nigerian soldiers sustained gunshot wounds during the exchange of fire.

The injured personnel were immediately airlifted to a military medical facility for advanced treatment and are reported to be in stable condition.

Military authorities described the failed infiltration as another significant operational setback for ISWAP, noting that it followed sustained offensives by troops under Operation Hadin Kai across the North-East.

In recent months, the military has intensified coordinated land and air operations targeting terrorist enclaves in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states, leading to the elimination of several commanders, destruction of logistics bases and recovery of arms and ammunition.

The Nigerian Armed Forces, working alongside regional partners under the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), have continued to intensify efforts to dismantle terrorist networks operating around the Lake Chad region.

Captain Goni reiterated that Operation Hadin Kai remains committed to sustaining offensive operations, protecting vulnerable communities and restoring lasting peace across Nigeria’s North-East.

“Operation HADIN KAI remains resolute in sustaining offensive operations, protecting vulnerable communities and dismantling terrorist networks until lasting peace and security are fully restored across the North East.”

Troops kill ISWAP cameraman, recover footage exposing foreign terrorist facilitators in Borno

Police to arraign alleged fake Presidential Council DG over forgery, impersonation Tuesday

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) is set to arraign Adeniyi Adeyemi, the self-acclaimed Director-General of the alleged Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), before the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday over allegations of forgery, impersonation and other related offences.

The arraignment follows months of investigation into the activities of the purported council, which the Presidency has described as a fictitious organisation with no legal recognition or executive approval.

According to court documents marked FHC/ABJ/CR/562/2025, Adeyemi and two other defendants will face an eight-count charge bordering on forgery, criminal impersonation and other alleged offences.

The charges were filed on November 27, 2025, by police prosecutor Wisdom Madaki.

The case was initially scheduled for hearing on June 16, but proceedings were stalled after Adeyemi was reported to be ill. Consequently, Justice Mohammed Umar adjourned the matter to Tuesday for the defendants to take their pleas.

Court records show that the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, is among the prosecution’s key witnesses.

Other witnesses listed by the prosecution include Paul Emmanuel, Jeremiah Imoukhede, Ituah Sylvester, Akimbo Shola, Deputy Superintendent of Police Adamu Balongu, and officials from the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation.

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Also expected to testify are Ojo Victor, Omeh Amarachukwu, Wakili Saidu, Joy Ngwoke, owner of Kachi Hotel in Abuja, and Ven. Okoriko of St. Matthew’s Anglican Church, Maitama, among others.

The prosecution said it would tender several documents as evidence during the trial, including the police investigation report, a petition allegedly submitted by Gbajabiamila dated October 17, 2025, and what investigators described as a fake presidential appointment letter dated March 8, 2024.

Other documentary exhibits include Adeyemi’s request for a note verbale to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, approvals allegedly obtained to open accounts with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), correspondence seeking self-accounting approval from the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, and documents relating to the establishment and operations of the purported PFIPC.

The prosecution also plans to present letters requesting collaboration with government ministries and agencies for land allocation and office accommodation across Nigeria’s 36 states, statements obtained from witnesses and the defendants, as well as photographic evidence gathered during the investigation.

According to the charge sheet, the prosecution reserves the right to call additional witnesses where necessary to strengthen its case during the trial.

Police investigators alleged that Adeyemi operated the non-existent agency from the second floor of the Federal Secretariat Complex, Phase III, Abuja, where he allegedly held official meetings, issued correspondence and presented himself as the head of a presidential agency before his arrest.

The case attracted national attention after the Presidency publicly distanced itself from the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, maintaining that no such agency exists within the Federal Government.

Following the revelation, President Bola Tinubu directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to carry out a comprehensive investigation into the activities of the alleged organisation and submit its findings within 30 days.

The Presidency said the investigation was aimed at determining how the purported agency operated, identifying possible collaborators and preventing similar incidents capable of undermining public confidence in government institutions.

The case has also raised broader concerns about the activities of individuals allegedly using forged government documents and false official identities to gain access to public institutions, financial systems and unsuspecting members of the public.

Adeyemi and the two other defendants are expected to enter their pleas when the matter comes up before the Federal High Court on Tuesday.

It is important to note that the charges remain allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty by the court.

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