Updated: Hijab: Lagos withdraws Eletu-Odibo Junior High School principal, investigates case

Lagos State Government has recalled the principal of Eletu-Odibo Junior High School, Abule-Oja, Yaba, Mrs Christiana Sofuye, for allegedly disobeying the Supreme Court judgement on hijab.

The principal was reported to have compelled a female Muslim student to remove her hijab in the school, in disobedience to the widely shared circular issued by the state government, urging compliance with the apex court judgement.

The state government has also restated its warning to principals and other personnel of various public schools in the state to desist from assaulting students because of the hijab.

This was contained in a circular issued by Tutor-General/Permanent Secretary Education District IV, Osinaike Olusegun Olawale, stressing that anyone found violating the Supreme Court judgement on hijab in schools would you face dire consequences.

The Supreme Court had ruled in favour of the hijab, upholding the constitutional rights of Muslim students to wear it in schools.

The Tutor-General said the Lagos State government strictly frowned on disobedience against the Supreme Court judgement.

He said other officers involved in the violation at the school had also been recalled alongside the principal.

The statement read, “Consequent upon the Supreme Court judgement on the use of hijab in Lagos State shools delivered on 17th June, 2022 and the Head of Service circular No. 068, dated 5th December, 2022 which was made available to all principals through the Information Platform *(E34 Notice formation)*, available information at our disposal alleged that the principal of Eletu-Odibo Junior High School, Abule-Oja, Yaba, decided to violate the judgement of the apex court and the H.O.S Circular, which is tantamount to misconduct and punishable under the Lagos State Public Service Rule (PSR).

“However, the principal and other officers involved have been recalled from the school with immediate effect, while investigation is ongoing.

“For the avoidance of doubt, henceforth, any principal or staff member caught assaulting students on the issue of hijab or in one way or the other contravenes the hijab judgement will face dire consequences.

“It should be of note that the Lagos State Government strictly frowns on disobedience and will be viewed seriously.”

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